Committees Tony Blair example essay topic

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UK Prime Minister Revision Notes Powers of the PM Appoint and dismissal of minister: Seen as most important power because it gives him or her power to promote the loyal members and dismiss the rivals. The PM appoints candidates in significant areas of government such as Chancellor of the Exchequer and foreign secretary. If members do not fallow the PM views he can relocate them in less important departments. In 1962 Harold Macmillan demonstrated his power by dismissing 24 ministers in one day. Appointment of Cabinet Committees: Key decisions and policy recommendations PM decides what issues go to what committees and who sits at those committees Tony Blair had promised constitutional reform in his manifesto of 1997 but was personally never keen on it. The committee for radical reforms was made up of a conservative majority.

Other Appointments: Choose top judges - on advice of the Lord Chancellor Chairmen governors of the BBC Control of the Government Agenda: Key power is to control the agenda of the cabinet but extremely important issues will be controlling the agenda main priority e.g. Margaret Thatcher on privatizing many national industries in the 1980's John Major's introduction of the Citizens Charter and the further integration of the UK with the rest of Europe Tony Blair's insistence on the economic ideas of New Labour and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), and his focus on Iraq Control of the Civil Service: Margaret Thatcher Control of Parliament: Tony Blair has a large majority in the House of Commons this enables his ideas can become law. Changes he has made are with the House of Lords. Two important figures are the leader of the House of Commons and the same for the lords. He appoints the chief whip, who has the responsibility of ensuring that the government's wishes are carried out by having the support of Labour MPs in parliamentary votes and in the standing committees of the House of Commons. Influence over the media: John Major the media damaged the power and influence of his but Tony Blair has proved to be better at dealing with the media. Insists 'sings from the same hymn sheet' Ability to act in an emergency: Emergency Powers Act, the public usually support firm action by a prim minister to deal with emergencies.

When Margaret Thatcher wished to stop the miners from blocking fuel supplies, she got extensive public support for the firm actions against picketing miners. Same with Argentina and the Falklands, Tony Blair and Iraq... Peerages and Honours: PM can reward loyal ministers by granting peerage or knighthood, Thatcher frequently made knights by backbenches Aids to the Prime Minister: Private offices: Staffed mainly by civil servants, ensure the right information gets to the PM Press offices: Alastair Campbell deals with the way the PM deals with the press and what press gains access to him. Policy Unit: People who advise Blair over policies. Criticised for too much direct access and influence over policies Policy Successes: Mrs Thatcher's prestige increased after the successful Falklands War of 1982 as did John Major's after the Gulf War in he early 1990's.