Prime Ministerial debate Do we really have an Elected Dictator? Has the Prime Minister become more Presidential? V’s

UK Prime Ministerial debate Debate has been ongoing for years over just how Presidential the PM’s position has become.  Crossman in the 1960’s argued ‘the PM had replaced Cabinet as the major force within the UK Government’  Tony Benn argues the PMs powers should be reduced  Quintin Hogg sees the PM as an ‘ELECTED DICTATOR’

6 Reasons the Role of PM appears more Presidential They have increasing control over Appointments – ie Civil Service They dominate the Policy making Process They – NOT the Cabinet – appear the sole National Leader Projected as Leader by Media They spend less time in the Commons- they seem to see it as less important in the political process Key Advisors are working for PM NOT the Government as a whole

THE US PRESIDENT The US President – do not forget- is limited in many ways.  They are severely restricted by the Written U.S constitution  This is designed to make sure, in theory, the US Executive never becomes as powerful as the UK system

THE US PRESIDENT All Presidential appointments have to be vetted by Congress Congress may have an Opposition majority The President does NOT have the ability to introduce and influence Legislation as in the UK Congress has much greater control over budget and Foreign Policy than UK

THE US PRESIDENT There are areas of life such as Education and Crime and Punishment, over which the President has no control The President has very limited economic control too! The President therefore does NOT have the ability to introduce legislation and carry out policy that is available in the UK

Margaret Thatcher Leadership Style  Saw her role as to lead from the front  Opposition was eliminated – whether from cabinet; Parliament; Public or Abroad  She was: Abrasive Domineering Radical Intolerant of opposition Innovative

John Major Conservative / Very different – Listened more to the Party – or perhaps had to listen more  Major came into office facing Economic disaster  Weakened Majority  Divisions over Europe  Sleaze accusations in his party

John Major Leadership Style  He had to listen to his backbenchers and Cabinet  He Listened to his Party Less dominant and domineering Worked with Cabinet and looked for consensus Allowed Ministers to control their cabinet role- ie Ken Clarke in Treasury Indecisive

Tony Blair New Labour / Very different – Yet again; Seen as a ‘Conviction politician.’ As domineering as Thatcher.. Yet with charm He had more control over Government, party and Parliament than any Labour PM

Tony Blair Leadership Style  More Direct control over Govt. Departments  Fewer/Shorter Cabinet meetings  More decisions by PM and key advisors  Centrally controlled Media management  Less attention paid to Parliament and Party  Less Use of Civil Servants  Use of Prime Ministers Office rather than Cabinet as chief decision making body  Greater centralisation of decision making

Gordon Brown Labour / 2007-Now A divided and irritated party A very indecisive start to his premiership Yet managed to get good ratings for his handling of Credit Crunch Still under pressure

Gordon Brown Leadership Style  Much less Style and Charisma  Determination; Hard Work and great intelligence  Accusations of bullying have been thrown at him – including from his Chancellor!  Mixed style of leadership