Prime Ministerial Styles 4 Prime Ministers / 4 very different styles

Margaret Thatcher Conservative / Consistent / Direct and firm ideas –  Anti Communist warrior  Private ownership scheme for Public housing  Privatisation  Falklands War

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