1.  starter activity What stops Prime Ministers from becoming dictators? Who is more power in our system PMs or MPs?

2. Do governments dominate the House of Commons? Define the difference between ‘presidential’ and ‘parliamentary’ styles of government Examine ways in which governments dominate the HoC. Assess whether the UK is an ‘elective dictatorship’  Aims

3.  Your task Define the difference between a parliamentary & a presidential style of government Define the difference between a parliamentary & a presidential style of government

4. Parliamentary Executive governs through the legislature Executive governs through the legislature Govt is majority party in the elected assembly (HoC) Govt is majority party in the elected assembly (HoC) Govt ministers chosen from assembly Govt ministers chosen from assembly Govt is responsible to assembly Govt is responsible to assembly Govt is dependent on assembly for legitimacy Govt is dependent on assembly for legitimacy Ministerial accountability – e.g. ‘no confidence’ motion (1979); ministerial questions; PMQs Ministerial accountability – e.g. ‘no confidence’ motion (1979); ministerial questions; PMQs Fusion of powers Fusion of powers Jim Callaghan, Labour PM

5. Presidential Executive is separately elected Executive is separately elected Powers of the executive are equal to the legislature Powers of the executive are equal to the legislature

6.  Your task Study Watts, p.204 and list the ways in which the government can dominate the House. Study Watts, p.204 and list the ways in which the government can dominate the House.

7. Domination of the HoC Provide majority of its membership Provide majority of its membership Shape the agenda of House Shape the agenda of House Determine the legislative programme Determine the legislative programme Use of delegated legislation (statutory instruments) Use of delegated legislation (statutory instruments) Success in divisions Success in divisions Monopolise time of the House Monopolise time of the House Control flow of information Control flow of information

8.  Your task Study Watts p.205 and complete a scales chart showing evidence for and against the idea that Britain has an elective dictatorship. Study Watts p.205 and complete a scales chart showing evidence for and against the idea that Britain has an elective dictatorship.

9. Plenary Plenary Give as many examples as you can of how the government dominates Parliament Give as many examples as you can of how the government dominates Parliament Do we currently have an elective dictatorship? Does it matter? Do we currently have an elective dictatorship? Does it matter?