Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power

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Presidential Government

The balance of power between the Prime Minister and Cabinet changes between governments. Different styles of government include presidential and Cabinet government.

Presidential style

A presidential government is when an individual (in the UK, the PM) is strong and dominant over the executive.
The key features of a presidential-style government in the UK include a strong Prime Minister’s office, a Prime Minister with a strong personality and personal leadership, and greater focus on the Prime Minister than the Cabinet in the media.
- Michael Foley, in ‘The British Presidency’ (2000), argued that the PM is becoming ‘presidential’ and distances themselves from the government to increase their personal stature.

Prime Minister’s office

The Prime Minister’s office is stronger in a presidential style of government, with many special advisers who have more access to the Prime Minister than many Cabinet members.
- For example, Tony Blair’s ‘sofa’ government, where he formulated policy with a small number of special advisers, and Gordon Brown’s ‘kitchen’ Cabinet, where he consulted a small number of Cabinet ministers.

Personality

The Prime Minister’s leadership is personalised, with a strong personality that attracts much media attention.
- In personalised leadership, the Prime Minister is more likely than the Cabinet to be associated with major policies.
There is personalised leadership in general election campaigns, with the focus on party leaders rather than the party itself.
- Televised debates since 2010 have increased focus on party leaders over parties.

Communicator-in-chief

The Prime Minister is the communicator-in-chief for the government and is the nation’s spokesperson.

Presidential foreign policy

In a presidential style of government, the Prime Minister has greater control over major foreign policy issues.
A ‘presidential’ Prime Minister will take personal control over foreign policy, represent the UK at major global conferences, and make military decisions without consulting much with the Cabinet or Parliament.

Prime Minister is not presidential

The Prime Minister has many limits on their power from their party, Cabinet and Parliament.
- Prime Ministers can be removed from office by party pressure or through a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
The Prime Minister’s style determines whether they are presidential, as some Prime Ministers choose to use the Cabinet far more than others for key decision making.

Cabinet Government

The balance of power between the Prime Minister and Cabinet changes between governments. Different styles of government include presidential and Cabinet government.

Cabinet government

In a Cabinet government, the Prime Minister is 'first among equals' (primus inter pares), meaning they have relatively equal decision-making power over policy with other Cabinet ministers.
A Cabinet government has a more collegial style where government policy is collectively decided by Cabinet members.
The Cabinet helps decide government strategy, including managing major business in Parliament such as upcoming votes on government bills.

Example of a Cabinet government

In 2010, David Cameron operated a more Cabinet-style government due to the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition, requiring greater collective decision-making.