The power of the PM and cabinet

Question 1

Give an example of two PMs who used the cabinet as a sounding board for policy ideas and initiatives

Answer 1

David Cameron and John Major

Question 2

Give two examples of PMs that had little time for cabinet and used it to legitimise decisions made elsewhere

Answer 2

Thatcher and Blair

Question 3

Make the case that the PM has the upper hand

Answer 3

• Seen as the government leader and the representative of the nation - lending them great authority
• Patronage means they can appoint ministers and demand loyalty
• Chairs the cabinet and controls its agenda
• Enjoys perogative powers and so can bypass the cabinet on some issues

Question 4

Make the case that the cabinet has the upper hand

Answer 4

• A majority of members can overrule the PM
• Can remove the PM from office (Blair and Thatcher)
• The cabinet becomes more important if there isn’t a strong majority
• There could be big beasts in the cabinet (Blair and Brown/Cameron and the ERG)