The power of the PM

The power of the PM

1. Thatcher

   • Probably the most dominant politician of the modern period
     • Strong control over Cabinet and Policy-making
       • However, her style created enemies - she sacked a number of high profile cabinet members
         • Hurd, Howe and Heseltine
           • Freed from Collective Responsibility, they could attack Thatcher
             • In 1990 she resigned after it was clear that significant numbers in her own party didn't support her

2. Major

   • In many ways he was a surprise PM
     • He had to deal with a deeply divided party
       • Europe was the key issue - the emergence of the Eurosceptics
         • John Redwood was a leading opponent
           • His majority was only 21 after the 1992 election
             • This was reduced in by-election defeats during the 1990s
     • The fact that he became PM without winning an election reduced his power before 1992
     • Tried to be more collegiate but made him look weak

3. Blair

   • Won convincing majorities in 1997 and 2001
     • This gave him parliamentary majorities of over 100
       • Meant that he was protected from backbench rebellions
         • Over 100 Labour MPs rebelled against the Iraq War but the measure still passed
     • Labour had been out of power since 1979
       • Many MPs were determined to make the most of this and support their leader
         • Was used to pass important political reforms
         • Party was ideologically united
     • Faced little opposition from disunited Conservatives
   • Accused of being a control freak
     • Control of what was said in public
       • Use of spin doctors such as Alastair Campbell
     • He was very good on the world stage and in front of cameras
     • Opposition within his own party grew
       • Retired in 2007
         • However, many in his own party welcomed this

4. Brown

   • Like Major he was unelected
     • At the start he was popular
       • People welcomed the change from Blair
         • But economic crisis started in 2008
           • This greatly reduced his popularity and power
             • Defeat in 2010 was almost inevitable
   • He was more collegiate in approach
     • But this made him look weak

5. Cameron

   • He won the 2015 election with a small majority
     • Increase in his power
       • But the right-wing of his party was increasingly powerful
         • Also the rise of UKIP
           • Led to Brexit Referendum
             • He resigned after losing
               • Said he wasn't the right person to negotiate Brexit
   • Coalition PM
     • Not having a majority affected his power
       • Policy had to be a compromise with the Liberal Democrats
         • The emergence of the Quad
           • Cameron and Osborne; Clegg and Alexander
         • For example, Lib Dems blocked boundary changes to constituencies
           • Cameron had to keep Lib Dems in the Cabinet

6. May

   • Very early to be making judgements
     • Small working majority of 17
       • Could be vulnerable to rebellions
         • Already a U-turn over NI increase for self-employed
           • Signs of trouble over school budgets and grammar schools
       • Major issue will be Brexit
         • Will she be able to achieve anything else of substance?
     • Has put potential rivals like Boris in the Cabinet
       • But many Cameron supporters are on the backbenches
         • Gove? Osborne?