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Understanding the Power of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Politics

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Understanding the Power of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Politics
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Deja Sarge

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The role and powers of the prime minister and their relationship with the cabinet is significantly influenced by various political and electoral factors. The balance of power between these institutions shapes British governance.

  • A strong parliamentary majority enables greater prime ministerial authority
  • Party unity and electoral mandate strengthen prime ministerial position
  • First-term governments typically enjoy more authority and flexibility
  • Popular PMs can influence electoral success of their party's MPs
  • Cabinet constraints vary based on political circumstances and PM's standing

30/10/2022

277

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

View

Electoral Mandate and Government Experience

The strength of a prime ministerial government vs cabinet government dynamic is significantly influenced by electoral mandate and government experience. First-term governments often enjoy distinct advantages in implementing their agenda.

Definition: A "honeymoon period" refers to the initial phase of a new government where they can attribute problems to their predecessors and face less scrutiny.

Example: Tony Blair's authority peaked during his first term (1997-2001) but declined by his third term, particularly due to controversial decisions like the Iraq War.

The concept of "PM coattails" demonstrates how popular leaders can influence broader electoral success.

Vocabulary: "PM coattails" refers to the phenomenon where a popular prime minister helps elect MPs from constituencies that wouldn't typically support their party.

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

View

Prime Ministerial Authority and Parliamentary Support

The effectiveness of powers of the prime minister depends significantly on parliamentary composition and support base. New MPs often provide stronger support for prime ministerial initiatives.

Example: The 1983 and 1995 elections saw Thatcher and Blair respectively winning seats in traditionally opposing areas, though this support later declined as their reputations diminished.

Highlight: The presence of numerous new MPs typically helps maintain prime ministerial authority, as these members often feel greater loyalty to the leader who helped secure their election.

The power of patronage prime minister exercises becomes more effective with a larger and more diverse parliamentary majority, enabling greater control over party discipline and policy implementation.

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

View

Factors Affecting Prime Ministerial Power: Parliamentary Majority

The extent of a prime minister's power is significantly influenced by their parliamentary majority. When a PM has a substantial majority in the House of Commons, they can effectively manage dissent and maintain control over policy direction.

Example: Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair experienced only four defeats in the House of Commons, while Jimmy Callaghan's minority government (1976-79) suffered 34 defeats.

Highlight: Large majorities can lead to what some describe as 'presidential' style governance, where the PM faces fewer parliamentary constraints.

The relationship between the cabinet and the prime minister is also shaped by party unity. A cohesive party provides crucial support for bold decision-making.

Example: The Conservative Party's unity behind Thatcher (1983-90) and Labour's support for Blair in his first two terms demonstrated how party cohesion enhances prime ministerial authority.

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Subjects

/

Politics

/

Government and politics of the uk

/

The government of the uk

/

The prime minister and cabinet

Understanding the Power of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Politics

The role and powers of the prime minister and their relationship with the cabinet is significantly influenced by various political and electoral factors. The balance of power between these institutions shapes British governance.

  • A strong parliamentary majority enables greater prime ministerial authority
  • Party unity and electoral mandate strengthen prime ministerial position
  • First-term governments typically enjoy more authority and flexibility
  • Popular PMs can influence electoral success of their party's MPs
  • Cabinet constraints vary based on political circumstances and PM's standing
...

30/10/2022

277

 

12/12

 

Politics

15

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

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Join milions of students

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Electoral Mandate and Government Experience

The strength of a prime ministerial government vs cabinet government dynamic is significantly influenced by electoral mandate and government experience. First-term governments often enjoy distinct advantages in implementing their agenda.

Definition: A "honeymoon period" refers to the initial phase of a new government where they can attribute problems to their predecessors and face less scrutiny.

Example: Tony Blair's authority peaked during his first term (1997-2001) but declined by his third term, particularly due to controversial decisions like the Iraq War.

The concept of "PM coattails" demonstrates how popular leaders can influence broader electoral success.

Vocabulary: "PM coattails" refers to the phenomenon where a popular prime minister helps elect MPs from constituencies that wouldn't typically support their party.

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Prime Ministerial Authority and Parliamentary Support

The effectiveness of powers of the prime minister depends significantly on parliamentary composition and support base. New MPs often provide stronger support for prime ministerial initiatives.

Example: The 1983 and 1995 elections saw Thatcher and Blair respectively winning seats in traditionally opposing areas, though this support later declined as their reputations diminished.

Highlight: The presence of numerous new MPs typically helps maintain prime ministerial authority, as these members often feel greater loyalty to the leader who helped secure their election.

The power of patronage prime minister exercises becomes more effective with a larger and more diverse parliamentary majority, enabling greater control over party discipline and policy implementation.

<h2 id="largemajority">Large Majority</h2> <p>Prime Ministers with a large majority in the House of Commons can afford to dismiss rebels an

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Factors Affecting Prime Ministerial Power: Parliamentary Majority

The extent of a prime minister's power is significantly influenced by their parliamentary majority. When a PM has a substantial majority in the House of Commons, they can effectively manage dissent and maintain control over policy direction.

Example: Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair experienced only four defeats in the House of Commons, while Jimmy Callaghan's minority government (1976-79) suffered 34 defeats.

Highlight: Large majorities can lead to what some describe as 'presidential' style governance, where the PM faces fewer parliamentary constraints.

The relationship between the cabinet and the prime minister is also shaped by party unity. A cohesive party provides crucial support for bold decision-making.

Example: The Conservative Party's unity behind Thatcher (1983-90) and Labour's support for Blair in his first two terms demonstrated how party cohesion enhances prime ministerial authority.

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

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Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

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Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.