Enables the prime minister to shape the ideological direction of the cabinet
Means the prime minister can reward those who are loyal to them
Gives the prime minister the opportunity to promote younger MPs with potential and to increase diversity
Patronage examples
Thatcher appointed 'Dries', New Right Tories who agreed with her
Boris Johnson promoted those who supported his leadership campaign (e.g Rishi Sunak) and sacked those who questioned his Brexit policy (e.g. Julian Smith)
Theresa May promoted younger women to senior positions, such as Amber Rudd to home secretary
