Powers & Limitations of the

Prime Minister

What are the Powers of the Prime Minister?Are there Limitations to that Power?

1) Appointment & Dismissal of Ministers

This is often viewed as the most important PM power.

It enables them:- To reward Loyalty - To dismiss Rivals- To keep an eye on opponents

They can promote those with the same policy ideas

PM Macmillan dismissed 24 Ministers in 1 day in 1962

The British Cabinet The Cabinet is a

group of key Ministers that make up the ‘Government’

A Prime Minister can promote / dismiss into the Cabinet

Appointment of Cabinet Committees

Key Decisions and policies are increasingly made in small groups of Ministers working in the Cabinet Committee

The PM decides WHO sits on this & the ISSUES they deal with

CRITICISM: Is it fair that a small group of people have so much power?

Other Appointments

The PM can also appoint many other KEY OFFICIALS.

Top Judges The Head of the Armed

Forces Chairman of the BBC All of these give the PM

considerable influence

2) Control of the Government Agenda

The PM has the power to control their agenda

If they feel Northern Ireland is important they can adjust their agenda – ie Brown and Hillsborough Talks

Government Agenda

Other Examples Thatcher – Privatisation of

nationalised industries in the 1980’s

Major – Introduction of Citizens Charter / Europe

Blair – New Labour ideas

3) Control of the Civil Service

The Civil Service is the crucial administrative structure helping to Govern the Country.

Thousands of Civil Servants run key Government departments

Traditionally their role is neutral – This is changing

Civil Service

A Vital PM power is to Appoint top civil Servants who advise Ministers and help them in the administration of the country

Many argue that Thatcher and Blair ‘Politicised’ the Civil Service by having too much influence over appointments

4) Control of Parliament

This power is variable on the election results.

Blair’s huge majority gives him greater control than Majors for example.

The PM can appoint 1)The Leader of the HOC’s and 2) The Leader of the HOL’s

He also appoints the CHIEF WHIP – They are responsible for ensuring the Governments wishes are carried out

5) Influence over the Media

Some Prime Ministers prove much better than others at managing the Media.

Blair was superb with ‘Spin Doctors’ employed to give out the right media message

This would also tarnish his image

Blair used powerful images and Spin to get the right message across

He employed Media managers like Alister Campbell to handle the Media

He held monthly Press conferences to make himself accessible

Today YouTube and Twitter also play a part

6) Emergency Powers

Like other Countries, the UK PM also has emergency powers – the public will usually be supportive in times of National crisis

Falklands & Miners Strike

7) Peerages and Honours

The PM also has it within their power to reward loyal service or achievement (or party support) with Honours

This has been abused in the past and has become more regulated.

PM Aides

PRIVATE OFFICEStaffed by key civil

Servants- Makes sure the PM is kept organised

and updated

PRESS OFFICEStaffed by often powerful

figures who control the message and access to the PM

POLITICAL UNITDeals with solely party

Issues- a way of the PM Communicating with the

party

POLICY UNITGives the PM an

Independent sourceOf ideas

POLITICAL ADVISORS/ TASK FORCESCritical development with

Unelected advisors Emerging in key positions

VARIED FACTORS

Electoral Performance – Blair & Thatcher won 3 times!

Policy Success – Thatcher – Privatisation/ Falkland War BUT Unpopular Poll tax weakened her.

VARIED FACTORS

Opinion Polls – Major suffered from Bad polls / Blair had good polls

Cabinet Influence – Thatcher controlled her cabinet – but this led to turning its back on her / Blair insisted on Cabinet obedience

Variable factors (continued)

PARTY SUPPORT – Major was plagued with backbench rivalry and opposition / Even Blair had some backbench opposition

SIZE OF MAJORITY – Blair passed his bills easily due to his huge majority / Major sometimes relied on smaller parties

Variable factors (continued)

MEDIA SUPPORT/OPPOSITION ; The Sun newspaper supported Major in the 1992 election – and claimed they helped him win! Blair controlled the Media very well

Variable Factors PM Personality: Thatcher and Blair were

dominant personalities which helped. Major was not

Variable Factors State of Economy: A healthy economy will

help you win? In 1992 Britain was in a bad economic position

under John Major- Major won! In1997 Majors economy was very strong- He lost to Blair

LIMITS ON PM POWER

Prime Ministers have been described as ‘dictators’ They do however have several Key limitations to their power….

1 ) PARTY LIMITATION

The PM’s party usually supports their PM completely…. However there have been occasions when this

has not happened:

Thatcher – Conservative MPs rejected her in 1990 believing she was now an electoral problem

Major was unable to pass the Legislation he wanted due to ‘backbench rebels’

Blair had to rethink policies on Child Benefit and Fuel tax due to backbench pressure.

2) PUBLIC OPINION

Public opinion is unpredictable It prevents PM’s from being TOO radical –

examples: - Health reforms are necessary but may

cause a public backlash- Blair was also wanting to move on the

Euro and European Constitution but restricted as they are unpopular issues- Thatcher had to drop the Poll tax over

public opinion

3) PARLIAMENT

Parliament is SOVEREIGN – (All powerful) It has the POTENTIAL power to remove any

PM With Limited Control over House of Lords /

Effective scrutiny powers in Committees/ Parliament CAN make life difficult for PM’s Examples: Maastricht Treaty and Major

Westland helicopters and Thatcher.

4) CABINET

Cabinet power can vary considerably

The PM’s ability to control it can depend on variable factors.

Blair had control of his cabinet up to 2005 ; Major Struggled to control his

Prime Ministers have no department of their own

They rely on their Ministers to carry out their policies

If a Minister does not agree they may be sacked / replaced or forced to resign

A cabinet who are strongly opposed to a policy may cause a PM difficulty