PM as Presidential Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an arguement that the PM is presidential?
They often act like the head of state, particularly in foreign matters
How did Blair act as ‘head of state’
-Blair had a very close relationship with Bush and drove foreign policy in relation to the Iraq War, with little discusion around the Cabinet table and ministers denied access to key documents
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How did Johnson act as ‘head of state’?
-During the COVID pandemic Johnson was initially very popular and the country rallied behind him against the pandemic, whilst hosting regular press conferences about the pandemic on TV
-During the Brexit process, negotiating with the and determining the withdrawal agreement, highlighting how the PM represents the EU on the international stage
How did Gordon Brown act as ‘head of state’?
Played an important role in hosting the G20 in London in 2009 and coordinating the international response to the 2008 Financial Crisis
How has Starmer acted as ‘head of state’
In March 2025 Starmer represented the UK in key foreign policy meetings centred on the Ukraine War, including a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, a meeting with Zelensky and meeting with European leaders to decide how to response to the US decreasing foreign aid to Ukraine.
How can the PM act as ‘head of state’
-Representing the UK internationally
-Making public addresses through national crisis
The monarch is the constitutional head of state but the Prime Minister takes many of the duties assosciated with the role, the monarch’s role often being ceromonial
What are the limitations of the PM’s ability to act presidential?
-Percieved charisma
-Events outside of their control
Give an example of the Government’s majority limiting the ability for a PM to act presidential
David Cameron struggled to act presidentially as he was in charge of a coalition government and therefore needed to coorporate with the Liberal Democrats both in Parliament and in the Cabinet
How has Rishi Sunak failed to act presidentially, potentially due to unpopularity?
Gave significant control in terms of Foreign Policy to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron. Lord Cameron has led the UK in peace negotiations on the Isreal-Palestine conflict and the coordinated US-UK response to Houthi attacks in Yemen.
How has the monarch, being the true head of state, acted as such?
The monarch is present and central for state visits and is sometimes a good tool for diplomacy by the Prime Minister.
For example, in order to try and build a good relationship with President Trump, Starmer gave him a letter from King Charles with an invitation to an unprecedented second state visit in a meeting in Washington in February 2025.
What are the three key traits that could present the PM as presidential?
-Head of state (practically)
-Personal popularity
-Having a West wing (Downing street)
How did Dominic Cummings (SPAD) have power in Johnson’s government?
Had arguably more power than any Cabinet Minister in Johnson’s government. Johnson even took a significant hit to his government’s popularity to defend Cummings after he broke the COVID 19 rules by driving from London to Bernard Castle.
How many SPAD’s did Major have?
8
How many SPAD’s did Blair have
by 2005 he had 30
How does Starmer make use of SPAD’s?
By the end of summer 2024, Starmer had already appointed over 20 SPAD working for number 10 and over 80 working across government.
A key adviser for Starmer is his Chief of Staff and long term ally Morgan McSweeney who reportedly has a great deal of power in government despite being unelected
How do SPAD’s indicate a presidential approach?
Highlight’s the centralisation of power focused on an individual, the PM, rather than a collective body, the Cabinet. SPAD’s allow the PM to sideline the cabinet
How does a presidential style recreate the West Wing
Contrary to traditon where PM’s had little central support and relied on the Cabinet, Modern PM’s are now well supported by both the Cabinet and the PM office. These resources become greater than those of a minister allowing the PM to have an overview of policy and drive delivery and strategy across government.
How did Downing Street become more like a West Wing under Blair
-By 2005 hired over 30 SPAD’s
-The PM played a key role in developing long term policies using the Strategy Unit and using the Delivery Unit to monitor the delivery of policy across government, Blair playing a particular role in driving through Health and Education policy in particular.
What is an arguement against PM’s being predidential in regards to the idea of a West Wing?
The PM ultimately still relies on their Cabinet to deliver policy and have far less administrative capacity than the West Wing in America.
The UK Government operates under a core executive model where power is very fragmented and the PM cannot control all of government policy. They instead act as managers offering coordination and using their appointments power (power of patronage).
How does the PM rely on the Cabinet?
Rely on Cabinet ministers to settle key disputes, run their departments, and pass policy. This is especially when there is a Cabinter rivalvry or the government has a small majority.
How did Sunak decentralise his power, appearing un-presidential?
Gave significant power to both Cameron (Foreign Secretary) and Hunt (Chancellor) with both being given the power to shape policy and dominate government messagin in their areas of policy
Cameron - Led UK peace negotiations in Isreal-Palestine negotiations as well as coordinated US-UK response to Houthi attacks in Yemen
Hunt - Announced key economic policies himself, rather than the PM doing so beforehand in the media. He announced the National insurance tax cut in the autumn statement
How was May’s power de-centralised, appearing unpresidential?
When seeking to introduce a new Brexit deal, the hardline Brexiteers in her Cabinet, including Johnson, had a lot of influence - forcing into a harder Brexit deal. This is coupled with the fact she lacked a majority.
How did Johnson rely on his Cabinet, appearing unpresidential?
During COVID it was important that the Cabinet present a united front leading to Johnson relying on his government ministers, especially Matt Hancok (Health Secretary)
What is Micahel Coley’s concept of ‘spatial leadership’
It suggests that PM’s are becoming more like US presidents by distancing themselves from the party and government for which they are responsible. They present themselves as outsiders and develop personal popularity with public, using the media in particular.
