Waaat

“Cabinet government is still a central feature of the British political process” Discuss the validity of this statement.

In theory it is recognised that British government is one of a Cabinet government and that decisions made by the executive are made collectively with the Prime Minister (PM) acting as “Primus Inter Pares” directing and managing conclusions made. However, it is well known that this is not the case and that PMs have considerably more powers with regards to Cabinet and use these powers for the benefit of themselves, evidently making them more powerful and appear ‘Presidential’.

Michael Foley poses a strong argument in this respect with his book ‘The rise of the British presidency’. This style, constantly enhanced through the media, paints a picture to the public that the PM is the figurehead for all of government, taking away from the notion of Cabinet government and adding to the case of Prime Ministerial dominance. Foleys book highlights the mechanisms in which the PM can effectively control their cabinet, and it is these powers, that have previously been used by the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair that have assisted in their downgrading of Cabinet.

Abilities such as being able to promote or demote political allies and potential rivals is a key power any PM can exercise as it reduces the threat of a leadership challenge which in effect, can prove costly if they begin to grow unpopular. Also, the power of appointment ensures loyalty amongst ministers to the PM, (beyond natural loyalty to the party) with the ability to re-shuffle, recently used by David Cameron in appointing Grayling, Patterson and Villiers to keep the right (winged) side of the coalition content proving effective. Their ability to determine the outcome of official Cabinet meetings by prominently using Inner Cabinets to ‘pre-cook’ decisions beforehand have also proved an effective technique expressed thoroughly by the Thatcher government. The ability to control the...