Prime Minister case studies Flashcards
(24 cards)
what type of leader was thatcher?
- transformational (led by idealogy)
- autocratic (characterised by their authoritarian leadership
important events during Thatchers premiership
- 1982 Falklands war - ‘Iron Lady’ repuation
- minors strikes 1984 - targeted by IRA bombs
- 1990 Poll tax - introduced in replacement of domestic rates in Scotland
Thatchers strengths in office
- 1982 Falklands war
- 1983 GE 397 seats
Thatchers weaknesses in office
- deeply divided gov in early years. purged most of one nation ‘wets’ conservatives from cabinet
- alienated several members of her cabinet with her opposition of further economic intervention into the EEC
- poll tax
- minors strikes
- section 28
what was Blairs leadership style?
transformational leader (led by ideology)
important events in Blairs premiership
- early scandal after labour accused of exempting formula one from a ban on tobacco advertising in return for £1 million
- iraq war 2003 (protests and resignations - Robin Cook)
- 7/7 London bombings 2005
Blairs strength in office
- 1997 majority 418
- no defeat in parl 1997-2005
- introduced minimum wage
- devolution
- peace process in Northern Ireland
Blairs weakness in office
- 2003 iraq war major protests (robin cook)
- post David Kelly death reporter shouted ‘have you got blood on your hands prime minister?”
what type of leader was Cameron?
transactional due to coalition and majority of 12 after 2-15 GE
important events is Camerons premiership
- marked by ongoing economic crash from 2008
- authorised bombing on the islamic state
- indy ref no vote 55%, 84% turnout (went his way)
- brexit 51.8% yes , 76% turnout 0 led to negative worldwide reactions from markets and his resignation
Cameron’s strengths in office
- legalised gay marriage in 2013
- indy ref and AV ref went his way
- large-scale reforms in the health and social care act
Camerons weaknesses in office
- coalition gov, then small majority of 12
- brexit led to his resignation
- new to politics
- EU divisions in party
What type of leader was May?
- transactional - dealing with divided gov post brexit and post 2017, hung parl
important events in Mays premiership
- all of brexit made it difficult to uniter her party
- 2017 called a snap election which she didn’t win (Fiona hill and nick Timothy) 317 seats
- supply and demand with the DUP
Mays strengths in office
- Tried to balance leavers and remainers by having prominent brexit supporters in cabinet such as Johnson
Mays weaknesses in office
- unemployment fell to record lows since 1975
- draft withdrawal agreement rejected 3 times
- narrowly survived vote of no confidence
- rebellions
what type of leader was Johnson?
- popular, had a strong majority
important events in Johnsons premiership
- landslide victory 365 seats
- covid - held daily briefings
- partygate
Johnsons strengths in office
- UK left eu in 2020 ‘oven ready deal’
- several lockdowns and vaccination scheme in response to the pandemic
- massively popular amongst working class (collapse of red wall)
Johnsons weaknesses in office
- received fixed penalty notice after breaking social gatherings rules
- refuse to suspend whip Chris Pincher after sexual harassment allegations
- refusal to sack Cummings
what type of leader was truss?
attempted to be transformational but failed . ineffective public speaker
important events in Truss’ premiership
- defeated sunak in leadership elections
- cost of living crisis
- minibudget
Truss’ strengths in office
- mos diverse cabinet - 4 great offices of state not filled by white men
- purging Sunak supporters from cabinet
Truss’ weaknesses in office
- Mini budget
- dismissal of kwarteng
- resignation of Braverman
- controversial vote on fracking led to loss of confidence
