Pm relationship with cabinet

• why is the relationship between the PM and cabinet harmonious and fruitful?

  • the cabinet is selected purely by the PM and requires no approval from parliament
  • the PM and the cabinet are usually from the same political party, coalition government being the exception
• why do most PMs experience fractious relations with the cabinet?

  • political parties are broad so contain a variety of views - factions emerge
  • most cabinets contain 'big beasts' politicians who are too senior or popular to leave out - BoJo
  • as cabinets contain bright MPs they also are individuals with ambitions and high egos
  • factions often gather around strong individuals
  • each minister is lobbying for departmental resources and wants priority given to their department's financial demands
• powers and resources of the cabinet:

  • enjoys fewer resources than the PM
  • too much dissent and you're sidelined or demoted
  • certain departments are more prestigious than others
  • press coverage refers to winners and losers
• powers of the cabinet

  • most ministers run their own department and enjoy a fair degree of autonomy - PMs wouldn't want to micromanage their ministers
  • they have their own links to the media - sometimes ministers used to leak policy arrangements they disagree with.
  • powerful ministers can refuse to be shuffled - jeremy Hunt 2018
  • their biggest power is resignation of their own accord - BoJo 2019