PM and Executive essay plans Flashcards
(46 cards)
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Party Standing
Component: Point
When PMs are seen as assets to the party they can be incredibly successful.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Party Standing
Component: Evidence
Blair - His firm grip over the party allowed him to push through major reforms, including the minimum wage, devolution for Scotland and Wales, and investment in public services.
Thatcher - In her early years, Thatcher had firm backing from the Conservative Party, which enabled her to push through radical economic reforms, such as privatization and curbing trade union power.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Party Standing
Component: Counterpoint
PMs are equally limited in their power when their party does not see them as an electoral asset.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Party Standing
Component: Counter-Evidence
E- Major’s Conservative government was deeply divided over the European Union (EU), leading to internal rebellions and a weakened grip on power- His struggles with “Eurosceptic” MPs and the 1995 leadership challenge (which he won but with weakened authority) contributed to the landslide defeat in 1997.
Thatcher dominated British politics in the 1980s but faced increasing opposition from within her Conservative Party over issues such as the poll tax and European integration- Despite winning the first round of a leadership challenge, she lacked sufficient party support and was pressured to resign
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Party Standing
Component: Mini-Conclusion
Party standing both limits and enhances PM power, meaning they are not too powerful overall.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Public Standing
Component: Point
Public opinion does not limit the PM enough; too much popularity can give them unchecked power.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Public Standing
Component: Evidence
Blair went to war in Iraq despite protests by over 1 million people.
Starmer’s party won 64% of seats with just 34% of votes, showing disproportionate power due to FPTP.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Public Standing
Component: Counterpoint
Public opinion can limit PMs due to re-election fears; they often adjust their image to stay favorable.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Public Standing
Component: Counter-Evidence
Johnson- Partygate, It was the Pincher affair that finally triggered a mass of cabinet resignations over 50 MPS 5-7th July (resigned 7th)
Majorities aren’t all they seem- Boris Johnson and failed his attempt to introduce “Plan B” COVID-19 restrictions in December 2021. proposed vaccine passports, but faced a massive rebellion from his own Conservative MPs, forcing him to rely on opposition Labour votes to pass it.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Public Standing
Component: Mini-Conclusion
Public standing greatly affects PMs, often forcing resignation. But power is still constrained when opinion turns.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Cabinet Involvement
Component: Point
The PM can bypass the cabinet and pack it with loyalists, limiting its restraining role.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Cabinet Involvement
Component: Evidence
May bypassed cabinet using Olly Robbins during Brexit.
Thatcher removed dissenters (“wets”) and replaced them with loyal “drys”.
Johnson filled his cabinet with Brexiteers.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Cabinet Involvement
Component: Counterpoint
Cabinet still holds power—resignations can bring down a PM.
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful
Section: Cabinet Involvement
Component: Counter-Evidence
Sunak and Javid resigning led to Johnson’s downfall on the same day
Truss faced mass resignations at Chequers Johnson and David Davis
Essay: Prime Minister is too powerful disagree
Section: Cabinet Involvement
Component: Mini-Conclusion
In theory, PMs control cabinet, but in reality they are constrained by loyalty and resignations.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint on PM agree
Section: Cabinet
Component: Point
Very powerful and popular PMs can bypass the cabinet.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint on PM agree
Section: Cabinet
Component: Evidence
Thatcher had a presidential style and dominated Cabinet — mocked as “her vegetables”.
Blair used “sofa government”, bypassing full Cabinet discussions in favor of inner-circle advisors.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Cabinet
Component: Counterpoint
Most PMs still need Cabinet support to enact their ideas.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Cabinet
Component: Counter-Evidence
May-3 brexit secretaries resigned
Johnson Sunak, Javid resigned 5-7 July
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Cabinet
Component: Mini-Conclusion
Most PMs need the Cabinet to implement policy, making it a key restraint unless they’re exceptionally strong.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Public and Media
Component: Point
The public and media may be more important because they influence elections and can remove PMs.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Public and Media
Component: Evidence
Thatcher’s post-Falklands (1982); strong public approval in the early years of her tenure Thatcher
Sunak was hurt by perceptions of elitism, skipping D-Day, and betting scandal in party — contributing to his 2024 defeat. His image as rich and out of touch could not be shaken. Called snap election in the rain
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint agree
Section: Public and Media
Component: Counterpoint
General Elections are only every 5 years — public opinion doesn’t cause day-to-day dysfunction.
Essay: Cabinet is the main restraint
Section: Public and Media
Component: Counter-Evidence
Blair ignored the Iraq War protest (1M+ people).
Thatcher defied 364 economists’ letter with her “lady’s not for turning” speech. in 1981
