Evaluate the view that the PM is dictated by events

Question 1

LOA

Answer 1

events do play a role but Cabinet and media play a greater role

Question 2

Para 1 - Weaker - events weaken a PM

Answer 2

• With Covid 19 it ultimately led to the mistakes that caused Johnson to resign
• the Iraq war weakened Blair (approval rating dropped from 60% in early 2003 to 35-40% in 2004)
• Black Wednesday in 1992 weakened Major and meant he had to pull out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism

Question 3

Para 1 - stronger - events can improve a PMs standing

Answer 3

• the Falklands war in 1982 shifted people’s focus away from her economic policy and there was a surge in her popularity
• When Blair came out and called the late Princess Diane the ‘People’s Princess’ he saw approval ratings surge to 93%
• with Johnson the issue wasn’t the event but how he handled it, his sleaze and late lockdown roll out caused the damage

Question 4

Para 2 - Weaker - Pm patronage powers over cabinet

Answer 4

• Johnson created a loyalist cabinet with just Brexiteers
• when Truss came into power she removed big beasts such as Dominic Raab and Priti Patel
• Starmer had most of his shadow ministers in his government and even at -40% approval rating not much competition
• use of SPADs with Blair having 30 in 2005 and Johnson having 20 by 2025 (Sue Gray + Morgan McSweeny)

Question 5

Para 2 - Stronger - Cabinet have power over PM

Answer 5

• May was forced to represent both Brexiteers such as David Davis in her government but also Remainers such as Phillip Hammond
• the 64 resignations under the Johnson government is ultimately what forced him to step down from his position
• Johnson sent weekly critical letters to the Daily Telegraph whilst in May’s government

Question 6

Para 3 - Weaker - PM has control over media

Answer 6

• Blairs use of spin doctors and Director of Communications, Alistair Campbell, meant he could influence coverage of events
• on Suella Braverman’s trip to Rwanda journalists from GB news and the Daily Mail joined her but the Independent and BBC were not invited
• in the 2019 election campaign, Johnson avoided an interview with Andrew Neil to go on the Andrew Marr Show

Question 7

Para 3 - Stronger - the media have free speech

Answer 7

• in 2017 the media dubbed May as the ‘Maybot’
• in the 2010 election run up, Brown called a labour supporter a Bigot causing outrage
• the Daily Mirror uncovered Partygate through the use of drones which was the downfall of Johnson
• the Daily Star ran Liz Truss v the Lettuce and it ruined her credibility