Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 10.3.3
Limits on the Prime Minister’s Powers
There are a number of important limits to the prime minister’s power, including the Cabinet, Parliament, the media, the Prime Minister's political party and voters.
Cabinet
- The Cabinet limits the prime minister’s power as it is required to approve the prime minister’s policy decisions, and can overrule the prime minister.
- The Prime Minister is, in theory, the ‘First among equals’ (Primus inter pares) in cabinet, meaning they have equal say to other cabinet members over key policy decisions.
Electorate
- The loss of support from voters will end the prime minister’s time in power, with voters showing their support for the prime minister at the general election.
- In 2010 Prime Minister Gordon Brown was replaced by David Cameron after winning less votes and losing the general election.
Parliament
- Parliament limits the prime minister through voting against government policies and scrutiny.
- The Prime Minister is held to account and their actions are scrutinised in Prime Minister’s Questions weekly in the House of Commons.
- A vote of no confidence by parliament removes the prime minister from their position.
Political party
- The Prime Minister’s political party limits their power as the Prime Minister must maintain the support of their party in order to stay in power.
- A Prime Minister without the support of their party has a weaker position and may be challenged by their cabinet or backbenchers (or other party members, such as the chairperson) to stand down.
- In 1990 Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister after she was challenged to stand down by members of her own party.
The media
- The media limits the Prime Minister’s power by communicating with the public and influencing public opinion on the Prime Minister.
- The media can influence public opinion, so it can pressurise the prime minister over their actions.
Test yourself on Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers
How does parliament limit the prime minister's power?
Which political factor limits the prime minister’s power by communicating with the public and influencing public opinion on the prime minister?