Is the PM effectively a President?

• What is the main focus of the A Level Politics Edexcel course?

  UK Government and political concepts
• What are the key topics covered in the A Level Politics Edexcel course?

  • UK Government
  • Parliament and Executive interaction
  • Sources of the UK Constitution
  • Prime Minister's powers
  • Legislative Process
  • Influence of the Supreme Court
  • Impact of the EU
  • Nationalism and Feminism
• What is one argument that suggests the UK Prime Minister is effectively a president?

  The media focus on the PM as spokesperson
• What is one argument against the idea that the UK Prime Minister is effectively a president?

  Prime ministers are not heads of state constitutionally
• How does the role of the Prime Minister differ from that of a president?

  PMs are limited by party and parliament
• Who resigned over planned cuts to disability benefits in 2016?

  Iain Duncan Smith
• What event in 2008 damaged Gordon Brown’s reputation?

  The Financial Crisis
• Why was collective responsibility relaxed in 2016?

  Due to the EU Referendum
• What is the term for biased or one-sided presentation of information?

  Spin
• What is the informal group of advisers consulted by the Prime Minister called?

  Kitchen Cabinet
• What powers were once held by the monarch but are now used by the executive?

  Royal Prerogative
• Which Prime Minister effectively resigned due to lack of cabinet support?

  Thatcher
• What is the ability to make appointments called?

  Patronage
• How was David Cameron's power restricted during his time as Prime Minister?

  He was in a coalition government
• What are the arguments for and against the UK Prime Minister being effectively a president?

  For:

  • Media focus on PM as spokesperson
  • Importance of foreign policy role
  • Growth of Downing Street 'machine'

  
  

  Against:

  • PMs are not heads of state
  • Limited by party and parliament
  • PMs can be removed mid-term
• What is one argument that the UK PM is effectively a president?

  The media focus on the PM as spokesperson
• Why is the presentation of policy considered more important for the UK PM?

  There is a greater concentration on policy presentation
• How does the role of the UK PM in foreign policy support the argument they are like a president?

  The PM has greater importance in foreign policy matters
• What does the growth of the Downing Street ‘machine’ resemble?

  It resembles an ‘executive office of the president’
• What are spatial leadership issues related to the UK PM?

  The PM develops a personal policy agenda
• What is one way the PM's personal advisers support the presidential argument?

  Increased use of special advisers loyal to the PM
• Which prime ministers are noted for their presidential-like personalities?

  Blair and Cameron
• What is one argument against the UK PM being effectively a president?

  Prime ministers are not heads of state constitutionally
• How are UK PMs limited compared to presidents?

  They are limited by party, cabinet, and parliament
• What happens to a UK PM if they are removed from office mid-term?

  They can be removed, as seen with Thatcher
• What does the individual’s style imply about the PM's presidential behavior?

  The PM may act like a president but isn't one
• What causes variations in the dominance of UK PMs?

  Events and other factors influence their dominance