UK Government - Prime Minister &
Executive
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
INTRODUCTION (agree) - ✔✔✔The prime minister is undoubtedly the most powerful person in the UK
political system. However, the powers of the PM are not unlimited. This essay will discuss the
constraints and freedoms that the PM is subject to. It will conclude that normally PMs are very
powerful.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
AGREEMENT - ✔✔✔The powers of the Prime Minister are not defined by statute, but derive principally
from the royal prerogative. Technically the monarch is Head of State, declares war etc., but in practice
these powers reside with the PM. Perhaps the most significant of these is the power of patronage. This
allows the PM to make appointments to a range of positions throughout the state, from the head of the
civil service, to the director of the BBC, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The power of hire and fire
allows the PM to wield enormous influence over their parliamentary colleagues: promises of jobs in
government for aspirant backbenchers, and the threat of the sack for those who carry the red boxes is a
powerful tool.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
DISAGREEMENT - ✔✔✔However, it should be noted that the power of the PM is variable between, as
well as within, premierships. Whilst we can argue that Thatcher was more powerful than Major, it can
equally be argued that their respective powers waxed and waned during both of their tenures in
Number 10. The elastic nature of the office is not just due to the way in which PMs use their powers, but
also due to the wider political climate. Events impact on PMs. The single most important reason that
Blair became a liability to his party was Iraq. Equally, the rise of Cameron checked the power of Tony
Blair. After inheriting the Tory leadership, Cameron steadily stole much of Blair's patch in the centre
ground, with talk of social justice and singing the praises of the NHS.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
AGREEMENT - ✔✔✔Nevertheless, the Prime Minister is by the far the most well-known politician in
the government and their personal stature, allied with a good media image, can be used to help secure a
personal mandate. PMs have exploited the media by, for instance, staging photo opportunities with
, foreign leaders, magnifying their profile and spinning their personal story via ever expanding No 10
communications offices. Blair, followed by Cameron, took this a step further by introducing presidential
style monthly press conferences. Ideas about charismatic leadership are also relevant here. Thatcher
and Blair perfected the cultivation of an authoritative image.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
DISAGREEMENT - ✔✔✔However, Blair later faced a less favourable media climate. Cabinet splits over
Trident and 90 day detention led to rumours of divisions within the government. Although Blair
managed to hold things together, these stories weakened his position. During Brown's short time in
office, the media portrayed him as a ditherer, but the process of events that have affected his
premiership - party funding sleaze and the economic and financial crisis - would probably have damaged
any prime minister.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
AGREEMENT - ✔✔✔Despite this, the PM has the power of patronage, which covers appointments to
Cabinet, Cabinet committees, head of the civil service, peerages and honours, and senior levels of the
judiciary and clergy. In relation to ministerial appointments Tony Benn described the power of hire and
fire as an enormous one since it can be used as a tool to exert control over the parliamentary party and
the Cabinet. The PM chooses when and how often the Cabinet meets, chairs the meetings, controls the
Cabinet agenda and how long the meeting lasts as well as choosing who is present at Cabinet meetings.
This gives the PM immense control over the executive.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
DISAGREEMENT - ✔✔✔However, a PM cannot ignore or overrule their Cabinet forever. A PM needs
heavyweights, hard-hitters and party favourites within their Cabinet. There need to be effective and
talented ministers within the executive. These ministers may prove to be PMs-in-waiting, potential
rivals, keen to take advantage of any disasters befalling the PM. As Thatcher's exit proved, a PM who
rides roughshod over their Cabinet will pay the ultimate price - what Thatcher herself described
'regicide'. Equally, Blair increasingly lost the support of Brownites within his Cabinet, leading to his
eventual demise.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks)
AGREEMENT - ✔✔✔Constitutionally the Prime Minister is the person who can command a majority
support in the House of Commons. As the leader of the largest party, the combined influence of the
