Prime Minister

  • Primus inter pares: Latin, “first among equals”

Origins, structure, and powers of the core executive

  • First generally recognised PM was Robert Walpole (1721-1742)
    • Longest serving “PM”
    • The first lord of the treasury, chancellor of the exchequer, and leader of the House of Commons
    • Lost a vote of no confidence
  • Later PM Herbert Asquith defined it as a constitutional practice that rested “on usage, custom, convention, often of slow growth in their early stages, not always uniform, but which in the course of time received universal observance and respect.”
    • Only codified in 1992 in the Ministerial Code which sets out the duties and expectations of ministers + PMs
  • Shortest term was Liz Truss, 49 days

Patronage powers

Powers bestowed to the PM by the Monarch, ability of the prime minister to:

  • Appoint ministers
  • Allocate cabinet posts
  • Reshuffle cabinet
  • Dismiss ministers

Types of PMs

Authority in the cabinet system

  • Powers of the PM:
    • Chair cabinet meetings and manage the agenda
    • Steer, sum up, and determine outcome of cabinet discussion
    • Hold bilateral and informal meetings with key ministers
  • Constraints on the PM:
    • Require cabinet support on major or controversial issues, e.g. EU
    • Senior ministers may challenge the PMs preferred policy
    • Not involved in detailed policy making in cabinet committees

Party leadership

  • Powers of the PM:
    • Authority as leader of a political party
    • Elected by MPs and party members
    • Usually enjoys a majority in the House
  • Constraints on the PM:
    • Support of party is not unconditional
    • Possibility of backbench rebellions, e.g. Syria bombing 2013

Public standing

  • Powers of the PM:
    • High public profile
    • Communication-in-chief for the government
    • Political leaders in times of crisis
    • Represents country in international affairs

Policy making

  • Powers of the PM:
    • Directs government policy and sets the agenda
    • Authority to become in policy areas of choosing
    • Takes the key role in times of crisis
  • Constraints on the PM:
    • Limited time and lack of detailed knowledge
    • Lacks resources provided by a government department
    • May be difficult to achieve policy success

Prime Minister’s Office

  • PM’s Office provides advice and support
  • Appoints special advisers (Spads)

Growth of PM’s power

  • How has media changed the role of the PM?
  • In what sense is the PM becoming increasingly presidential?
    • In what sense is the PM more pwoerful than the President?

Theories of PM power

  • Cabinet Government
    • The PM as a member of the cabinet
  • Core Executive
    • The PM in charge of both the Cabinet and Spads

Types of PM styles

  • Norton (1987, 1988) identifies four main types of PM
  • Innovators
    • Fight to become PM, to achieve a particular programme which they have crafted, willing to push and cajole their party into supporting them
  • Reformers
    • Seek power to achieve a particular programme of public policy
    • Largely dictated by idelogoical agenda of their own party
  • Egoists
    • Seek power for the sake of having power
    • Principally concerned with the here and now, operating to stay in No. 10
    • Take any action to protect their position
  • Balancers
    • Seek to maintain stability in society
    • Concerned with state of society
    • Seek to ameliorate tensions and avoid socially divisive policies
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