The Prime Minister Number10.gov.uk

The Evolution of the office of PM No law was passed but the office emerged as it became obvious that a leader was needed. This had happened by the early 1700s. No law was passed but the office emerged as it became obvious that a leader was needed. This had happened by the early 1700s. Everyone accepted it so it became a convention and therefore added to the Constitution Everyone accepted it so it became a convention and therefore added to the Constitution First PM to emerge was Robert Walpole who lost the confidence of Parliament in 1742 First PM to emerge was Robert Walpole who lost the confidence of Parliament in 1742 PM of the 18 th and 19 th centuries dominated their cabinets and led with their own agendas - ‘First among equals’ they were not. PM of the 18 th and 19 th centuries dominated their cabinets and led with their own agendas - ‘First among equals’ they were not.

Where do PM powers come from? The old Royal Perogatives e.g. war and appointments have now been passed from Monarch to PM The old Royal Perogatives e.g. war and appointments have now been passed from Monarch to PM Head of the Executive – The PM is expected to be the principle and final decision taker in the country. They are expected to Head the executive and influence the direction the country is taking. Head of the Executive – The PM is expected to be the principle and final decision taker in the country. They are expected to Head the executive and influence the direction the country is taking. Since the emergence of political parties in the 19 th Century, the PM is Head of a Political Party. This gives him huge influence over the agenda. Since the emergence of political parties in the 19 th Century, the PM is Head of a Political Party. This gives him huge influence over the agenda. Emergency Powers – the specific consent of Parliament is given through Acts, but the expectation is already there as Head of the Executive. Emergency Powers – the specific consent of Parliament is given through Acts, but the expectation is already there as Head of the Executive.

Duties of the PM – what makes the PM different to other ministers? Preside over Cabinet Preside over Cabinet How Gordon Brown reshuffled his Cabinet – Telegraph How Gordon Brown reshuffled his Cabinet – Telegraph Allocate functions/jobs/portfolios to ministers Allocate functions/jobs/portfolios to ministers Picture gallery: Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle | Politics | guardian.co.uk Picture gallery: Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle | Politics | guardian.co.uk Manage the House of Commons Manage the House of Commons Produce and ensure passage of effective legislation for the good of the country. Produce and ensure passage of effective legislation for the good of the country. Inform and discuss matters with the Queen at regular intervals - The Queen tells Gordon Brown she is 'deeply troubled' over MPs' expenses | Mail Online Inform and discuss matters with the Queen at regular intervals - The Queen tells Gordon Brown she is 'deeply troubled' over MPs' expenses | Mail OnlineThe Queen tells Gordon Brown she is 'deeply troubled' over MPs' expenses | Mail OnlineThe Queen tells Gordon Brown she is 'deeply troubled' over MPs' expenses | Mail Online

and…….. Recommending to Queen the following appointments Recommending to Queen the following appointments Archbishops and senior bishopshttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/06/archbishopPA190606_228x340. jpg jpghttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/06/archbishopPA190606_228x340. jpg Senoir Judges and Lord Chief Justicehttp:// images/Lifeandhealth/Pix/pictures/2008/05/13/j4.jpg&imgrefurl= dian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/13/law.fashion&usg=__4Cw_7oDMtiv54aOiT5f6R9M1kV 0=&h=276&w=460&sz=18&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=yW18FV09iJZh0M:&tbnh=77& tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwho%2Bis%2Blord%2Bchief%2Bjustice%2Bat %2Bnew%255C%2Bsupreme%2Bcourt%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG images/Lifeandhealth/Pix/pictures/2008/05/13/j4.jpg&imgrefurl= dian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/13/law.fashion&usg=__4Cw_7oDMtiv54aOiT5f6R9M1kV 0=&h=276&w=460&sz=18&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=yW18FV09iJZh0M:&tbnh=77& tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwho%2Bis%2Blord%2Bchief%2Bjustice%2Bat %2Bnew%255C%2Bsupreme%2Bcourt%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DGhttp:// images/Lifeandhealth/Pix/pictures/2008/05/13/j4.jpg&imgrefurl= dian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/13/law.fashion&usg=__4Cw_7oDMtiv54aOiT5f6R9M1kV 0=&h=276&w=460&sz=18&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=yW18FV09iJZh0M:&tbnh=77& tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwho%2Bis%2Blord%2Bchief%2Bjustice%2Bat %2Bnew%255C%2Bsupreme%2Bcourt%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG Privy Counsellors Lord Leiutenants Civil appointments (BBC, Poet Laureate etc.

Powers of the PM Appoint and dismiss ministers i.e. power over ministerial conduct Appoint and dismiss ministers i.e. power over ministerial conduct Reshuffle cabinet and appoint Cabinet Committees Reshuffle cabinet and appoint Cabinet Committees Create peers and give out honours Create peers and give out honours Appoint chairs of national industry Appoint chairs of national industry Appoint church and civil service leaders, since Thatcher (via powers of appointment) the top layer of Civil Service has become much more political Appoint church and civil service leaders, since Thatcher (via powers of appointment) the top layer of Civil Service has become much more political Power over government business – agenda, committee, ministers communication PM s should decide priorities Power over government business – agenda, committee, ministers communication PM s should decide priorities Leading and acting as Head of State in international relations Leading and acting as Head of State in international relations Control and if necessary terminate parliament or government Control and if necessary terminate parliament or government

Who helps the PM to do his job? Prime Minister’s Private Office – keeps PM accurately informed Prime Minister’s Private Office – keeps PM accurately informed Press Office – highly influential Press Office – highly influential Political Unit – less important Political Unit – less important Policy Unit – ideas hub, grew huge under T Blair Policy Unit – ideas hub, grew huge under T Blair Political Advisors and task forces – groups set up by PM Political Advisors and task forces – groups set up by PM

Variable factors that influence the extent of the PM’s power Electoral Performance Electoral Performance Policy successes Policy successes Opinion poll ratings Opinion poll ratings Influence over cabinet Influence over cabinet Support of parliamentary party Support of parliamentary party Size of parliamentary majority Size of parliamentary majority Media support or opposition Media support or opposition Prime Minister’s personality Prime Minister’s personality State of the economy State of the economy Patronage Patronage Party divisions Party divisions Possible rivals Possible rivals Electoral prospects Electoral prospects Opposition Opposition

Limits on a PM’s power The party The party Public opinion Public opinion Parliament Parliament The cabinet The cabinet

Recent Developments We now have Prime Ministerial government as he/she is often in control of foreign and economic affairs. We now have Prime Ministerial government as he/she is often in control of foreign and economic affairs. We now have a close set of ministers to pre- cook policy before Cabinet meetings. Business flows through the PM office before the Cabinet Secretariat (or at least as much as). We now have a close set of ministers to pre- cook policy before Cabinet meetings. Business flows through the PM office before the Cabinet Secretariat (or at least as much as). This has been heightened by mass media and identification of party through the leader. This has been heightened by mass media and identification of party through the leader.

Prime Ministerial Styles Margaret Thatcher ( ) Conservative Margaret Thatcher ( ) Conservative John Major ( ) Conservative John Major ( ) Conservative Tony Blair ( ) Labour Tony Blair ( ) Labour Gordon Brown (2008 – 2010) Labour Gordon Brown (2008 – 2010) Labour David Cameron (2010 – present Conservative David Cameron (2010 – present Conservative

Do Prime Ministers have Presidential powers? This began with Margaret Thatcher. How? salute on military occasions salute on military occasions ‘I, as government’ ‘I, as government’ ‘We are a grandmother’ ‘We are a grandmother’ Policy making on the hoof Policy making on the hoof Record reduction in cabinet meetings, number, duration and documentation Record reduction in cabinet meetings, number, duration and documentation Cost of PM department higher than that of Queen Cost of PM department higher than that of Queen Mother of the nation act at national tragedy Mother of the nation act at national tragedy

Compare our PM with the office of French President Directly elected Directly elected Has veto over legislation Has veto over legislation Takes referendum decisions Takes referendum decisions Can dissolve parliament Can dissolve parliament Makes key appointments Makes key appointments Is C-in-C of armed forces Is C-in-C of armed forces Controls foreign and defence policy Controls foreign and defence policy Does not have to attend PM question time and is much less accountable. Does not have to attend PM question time and is much less accountable.

Debates on prime ministerial power Richard Crossman Thesis Crossman argues that things changed after the 1867 Reform Act when mass party politics boosted power of the PM as leader of government and the legislature and ALSO controlled the Civil Service himself – not the Cabinet, it was far too big for Cabinet. Crossman argues that things changed after the 1867 Reform Act when mass party politics boosted power of the PM as leader of government and the legislature and ALSO controlled the Civil Service himself – not the Cabinet, it was far too big for Cabinet. The PM is therefore at the helm of both the political and administrative arm of government, no longer the cabinet in charge The PM is therefore at the helm of both the political and administrative arm of government, no longer the cabinet in charge

Foley’s thesis of US and UK leaders Michael Foley concluded that UK leaders adopted methods used by some US presidents to try and overcome the constitutional limitations on their power. Ironically US presidents often wish they had the power that the UK Prime Minister enjoys! Michael Foley concluded that UK leaders adopted methods used by some US presidents to try and overcome the constitutional limitations on their power. Ironically US presidents often wish they had the power that the UK Prime Minister enjoys!

Two more arguments….. Cult of the Outsider – e.g. Reagan, Clinton, Blair – trying to show that they do not have vested interests of government insiders e.g Thatcher went for populist policies and circumvented Wh itehall, keeping in touch with the party rank and file. BBC ON THIS DAY | 22 | 1991: Citizen's charter promises better services Cult of the Outsider – e.g. Reagan, Clinton, Blair – trying to show that they do not have vested interests of government insiders e.g Thatcher went for populist policies and circumvented Wh itehall, keeping in touch with the party rank and file. BBC ON THIS DAY | 22 | 1991: Citizen's charter promises better servicesBBC ON THIS DAY | 22 | 1991: Citizen's charter promises better servicesBBC ON THIS DAY | 22 | 1991: Citizen's charter promises better services Spatial Leadership –Personal Factor - party differences have become personalised, the personal qualities of a PM and other party leaders are central to public evaluations of public leadership and performanceITV came to breakfast, but Cameron tries to gag BBC after team recorded conference speech rehearsal| News | This is London Spatial Leadership –Personal Factor - party differences have become personalised, the personal qualities of a PM and other party leaders are central to public evaluations of public leadership and performanceITV came to breakfast, but Cameron tries to gag BBC after team recorded conference speech rehearsal| News | This is LondonITV came to breakfast, but Cameron tries to gag BBC after team recorded conference speech rehearsal| News | This is LondonITV came to breakfast, but Cameron tries to gag BBC after team recorded conference speech rehearsal| News | This is London

Conclusion The unacknowledged changes of recent years do run deep and although the British premiership has not turned into a British version of the American Presidency, it has become an authentically British Presidency! The unacknowledged changes of recent years do run deep and although the British premiership has not turned into a British version of the American Presidency, it has become an authentically British Presidency! BUT Sir Richard Wilson, Cabinet Secretary argues that the PM’sexecutive powers were legally vested in individual departments, with the PM’s only executive power being in relation to the Civil Service. BUT Sir Richard Wilson, Cabinet Secretary argues that the PM’sexecutive powers were legally vested in individual departments, with the PM’s only executive power being in relation to the Civil Service. So the PM has to work through colleagues and this is what stops the development of a presidential PM in the UK.