Tasks for 5B Politics Take notes on the example of Gordon Brown and why he lacked legitimacy as Prime Minister Research Theresa May and why she lacks legitimacy as PM. Ensure you answer all the questions in your research (this should be submitted to AQ.) Create (or complete if already started) a revision poster which; Clearly outlines & describes the key terms Power, Authority & Legitimacy Gives examples of each Explains their relation to each other

Legitimate = Rightful What is legitimacy? Usually legitimacy comes from a ‘fair process’ i.e. an election, a ballot, a contract, an fair interview process It is often a belief that a leader has a right to govern Without legitimacy, a government can collapse Legitimate = Rightful Legitimacy is what many describe as the ‘right to rule’ It is closely linked to authority i.e. in order to have authority you must be viewed as legitimate

Power, Authority = Legitimacy Power that is seen to be LEGITIMATE is seen as fair & right Therefore coercion (force) is not needed I.e. Most people obey rules even if they don’t agree with them. This is because they accept the system of government as legitimate. This LEGITIMATE power is called AUTHORITY Legitimacy Example In May 2011, Alex Salmond’s SNP gained a majority in the Scottish Parliament – 69 of 129 seats. Even though the AMS system was designed to prevent majority governments, they won more than 50% of seats. This gave the SNP government legitimacy, and Alex Salmond legitimacy as First Minister.

Example of No Legitimacy However, he had all the powers that Tony Blair (a strong PM) had as PM, So if he has the power why not the Authority? Brown’s unelected inheritance of Blair’s power was seen by many as illegitimate (he ran almost unopposed for labour leader), in that since there was no general election, Brown was not the ‘rightful’ PM. Gordon Brown PM Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1992 – 2007 under Blair Popular chancellor, seen as staid and reliable 10 May 2007, Tony Blair resigned Brown won Labour nomination and became PM Did not call a new election Unpopular Prime Minister – blamed for economic problems Resigned after 3 years

Example of No Legitimacy – Theresa May Who is she? What job did she do before PM? Details! When & How she became PM Why people say she has no legitimacy