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PM & CABINET - Evaluate the view that the Prime Minister is the key…
PM & CABINET - Evaluate the view that the Prime Minister is the key influence on all the main functions of the executive.
Deciding on the and implementation of policy, the running of the government
The civil service is in charge of this, indeed, when asked about how he would be a better PM than Gordon Brown, Cameron answered 'by working less hours'
This is because Brown tried to extend too much influence over too many departments, which in turn overstretched him. Prime Ministers like Cameron understand the necessity of the civil service in the implementation of government policy.
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This depends on the PM, and so the PM is not necessarily the key influence on such an area. While more transformational PMs such as Thatcher and Blair took a heavy approach on influence over their government, more laissez faire PMs like David Cameron do not take much influence over the running of the government
The PM has a very strong influence over the executive as strong majorities lead to a Parliament saturated with their own MPs, and thus MPs that hold collective responsibility and will 'tow the party line'
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Creation of the budget
The PM sometimes has influence on the creation of the budget, particularly as the PM and Chancellor (who takes a position in the key offices of state) maintain a very close relationship
For example, Blair and Brown held a very close relationship, or Starmer and Reeves have quite a close relationship
Additionally, Truss lost her position as PM due to the disastrous response to her mis-timed budget
A perfect example of the Prime Ministerial influence over the Budget, or decisions of the Chancellor, was when Brown and Blair privately decided in 1997 that the Bank of England was to be granted operational independence, a bold signal of New Labour's fiscal prudence
CAVEAT: Despite this, Blair was sometimes accused of overstepping by Brown, an example of this is when early on Blair announced on national television that UK spending on the NHS would match healthcare spending throughout the rest of the EU, an announcement that Brown was not ready to make.
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Explain the difference between the types of PMs, transformational, laissez faire etc