Power of patronage brings advantages

• Patronage power of the prime minister

  • 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