To what extent has the British PM became Presidential?
Para Key Points Key Points
1 British PM - 'primus inter pares' or 'first among equals'. Dynamic power between PM + cabinet akin
Unlike US President, power is shared collectively. to US.
Modern British Executive now Prime Ministerial gov., Michael Number structural differences between two
Foley executive power now concentrated hands of PM. offices + extent to which statement is
Results in decline of cabinet as decision making forum. accurate is debateable.
2 PM more presidential - leadership style. Increase in media Tony Blair’s jet setting in diplomatic effort
coverage e.g. 24hr news + internet, attention focus = forge international coalition to join US + UK
individual chief spokesperson entire British government. invasion of Iraq 2003.
Recent phenomenon in UK + concentration of media Gordon Brown’s efforts leads world economic
attention = increase public profile + helps PM marginalise power – right policies to recover ‘credit
senior cabinet colleagues. crunch’ through ‘quantitative easing’ + state
Obsession comparisons of PM against rivals for General funded bail outs.
Elections - increasingly resembles US. Cameron flew – China secure contract Rolls
Foley 'competing leaders come to be judged just as much on Royce – build jet engines for 12 planes.
grounds of leadership as on policy'. Also joined Prince William + Beckham –
2010 UK election - seen US style televised debates - first time Switzerland political influence bid host Fifa
ever. 2018 World Cup.
Regular occurrence in US since 1961 - JFK + Nixon went Not always desired effect – British political
ahead. classes + public resented Blair’s presidential
Foreign + military affairs – more important. Cabinet ministers style + respect abroad countered – lack of
in charge William Hague + Michael Fallon. trust.
Increasingly side-lined when major policies/crises are to be Hillary Clinton US Executive Secretary of
dealt with. State, Obama spent over 1 week Indian Sub-
Dominant personalities – Thatcher, Blair, to extent Brown – Continent – November 2010 – drum up
exploit role as international statesman – appear more business American exports.
presidential.
3 Aside damaging resignations: Clare Short (International Harry Truman – sign on his desk – ‘the buck
development) + Robin Cook (Foreign Secretary). stops here’ meaning President has ultimate
Cabinet colleagues complained Blair ‘bounced through’ policy responsibility + final say.
on Iraq + ministers neither fully informed or given enough Difference – downfall of Thatcher 1990
time to decide. despite dominant Presidential style, failure
US President no such worries – cabinet merely offers advice, secure support senior cabinet.
when requested. When challenged for party leadership –
Common 3/4 meetings year 1 then consult in bi-laterals. forced her resignation.
US Executive = singular due absence of collective Ronald Butt ‘Mrs Thatcher’s personal
responsibility. handicap – failure to see that she could not
continue indefinitely to override + bypass her
cabinet.’
4 US President - unpopular only prematurely removed A vote of no confidence motion if carried can
impeachment process but only for 'high crimes + remove entire British gov.
misdemeanours' - brought dishonour on presidential office. Minor significance hasn't happen since 1979
Cannot be removed during term for unpopular policies or James Callaghan 311-310.
dispute with party colleagues, only American public can More likely several policy failures = PM's
during elections. party triggering leadership contest +
US President cannot be removed US Congress for failing to replacing individual with party leader.
get numerous executive bills passed.
5 Diminished importance of Queen + increased role PM - Provided PM - array of options outside
effectively head of state through prerogative powers - lead cabinet + allowed for 'spatial leadership'.
some compare PM + President. White House - 5x amount of personnel of that
Tony Blair doubled number of special advisers compared to in PMO + relatively small compared Cabinet
Major. Office.
Growth - spin doctors in PMO, coupled task forces +
QUANGOS (Quasi Autonomous Non-Gov. Organisation),
lobby groups etc.
6 British PM does not compete with power + influence on US international organisations - UN, NATO,
international stage. G8, IMF, World Bank.
Para Key Points Key Points
1 British PM - 'primus inter pares' or 'first among equals'. Dynamic power between PM + cabinet akin
Unlike US President, power is shared collectively. to US.
Modern British Executive now Prime Ministerial gov., Michael Number structural differences between two
Foley executive power now concentrated hands of PM. offices + extent to which statement is
Results in decline of cabinet as decision making forum. accurate is debateable.
2 PM more presidential - leadership style. Increase in media Tony Blair’s jet setting in diplomatic effort
coverage e.g. 24hr news + internet, attention focus = forge international coalition to join US + UK
individual chief spokesperson entire British government. invasion of Iraq 2003.
Recent phenomenon in UK + concentration of media Gordon Brown’s efforts leads world economic
attention = increase public profile + helps PM marginalise power – right policies to recover ‘credit
senior cabinet colleagues. crunch’ through ‘quantitative easing’ + state
Obsession comparisons of PM against rivals for General funded bail outs.
Elections - increasingly resembles US. Cameron flew – China secure contract Rolls
Foley 'competing leaders come to be judged just as much on Royce – build jet engines for 12 planes.
grounds of leadership as on policy'. Also joined Prince William + Beckham –
2010 UK election - seen US style televised debates - first time Switzerland political influence bid host Fifa
ever. 2018 World Cup.
Regular occurrence in US since 1961 - JFK + Nixon went Not always desired effect – British political
ahead. classes + public resented Blair’s presidential
Foreign + military affairs – more important. Cabinet ministers style + respect abroad countered – lack of
in charge William Hague + Michael Fallon. trust.
Increasingly side-lined when major policies/crises are to be Hillary Clinton US Executive Secretary of
dealt with. State, Obama spent over 1 week Indian Sub-
Dominant personalities – Thatcher, Blair, to extent Brown – Continent – November 2010 – drum up
exploit role as international statesman – appear more business American exports.
presidential.
3 Aside damaging resignations: Clare Short (International Harry Truman – sign on his desk – ‘the buck
development) + Robin Cook (Foreign Secretary). stops here’ meaning President has ultimate
Cabinet colleagues complained Blair ‘bounced through’ policy responsibility + final say.
on Iraq + ministers neither fully informed or given enough Difference – downfall of Thatcher 1990
time to decide. despite dominant Presidential style, failure
US President no such worries – cabinet merely offers advice, secure support senior cabinet.
when requested. When challenged for party leadership –
Common 3/4 meetings year 1 then consult in bi-laterals. forced her resignation.
US Executive = singular due absence of collective Ronald Butt ‘Mrs Thatcher’s personal
responsibility. handicap – failure to see that she could not
continue indefinitely to override + bypass her
cabinet.’
4 US President - unpopular only prematurely removed A vote of no confidence motion if carried can
impeachment process but only for 'high crimes + remove entire British gov.
misdemeanours' - brought dishonour on presidential office. Minor significance hasn't happen since 1979
Cannot be removed during term for unpopular policies or James Callaghan 311-310.
dispute with party colleagues, only American public can More likely several policy failures = PM's
during elections. party triggering leadership contest +
US President cannot be removed US Congress for failing to replacing individual with party leader.
get numerous executive bills passed.
5 Diminished importance of Queen + increased role PM - Provided PM - array of options outside
effectively head of state through prerogative powers - lead cabinet + allowed for 'spatial leadership'.
some compare PM + President. White House - 5x amount of personnel of that
Tony Blair doubled number of special advisers compared to in PMO + relatively small compared Cabinet
Major. Office.
Growth - spin doctors in PMO, coupled task forces +
QUANGOS (Quasi Autonomous Non-Gov. Organisation),
lobby groups etc.
6 British PM does not compete with power + influence on US international organisations - UN, NATO,
international stage. G8, IMF, World Bank.
