| What are the different informal powers of the PM? | Patronage, Cabinet management, Circumstances, Prime Minister’s and Cabinet Office, Media access |
| How does patronage affect the power of the PM? | They can promote loyal colleagues and supporters, making the cabinet more likely to support them. The PM in effect controls the careers of ministers, which should ensure their loyalty |
| How does cabinet management affect the power of the PM? | the PM decides when and how long the cabinet meets for, the agenda for discussion, and who sits on cabinet committees |
| How does the prime minister's and cabinet office affect the power of the PM? | these provide institutional support to the PM, including special advisors |
| How does party leadership affect the power of the PM? | The PM leads their party and so has authority over it |
| How does Media access affect the power of the PM? | As head of government the PM gets considerable media exposure. The media treat the PM as the 'face of government' and focus on them |
| What are the formal powers of the PM? | to appoint ministers and senior figures such as important judges, to dissolve and recall parliament (has been eroded by fixed term parliament act) sign treaties and grant honours |
| Where are these powers derived from? | from the monarch's royal prerogative |
| What is an example of when patronage affected the powers of the PM? | Tony Blair had allegedly made a deal with Gordon Brown saying he would become PM after him |
| What is an example of when cabinet management affected the powers of the PM? | Margaret Thatcher was known to be strict with her cabinet with large control over agendas, which lead to her cabinet rebelling against her |
| What is an example of when the prime minister's and cabinet office affected the powers of the PM? | During Theresa May's time as PM, there were 99 special advisors employed |
| What is an example of when party leadership affected the powers of the PM? | Tony Blair led his party with a kitchen cabinet rather than listening to all members |
| What is an example of when Media access affected the powers of the PM? | Currently Boris Johnson is under the scrutiny of the media for the amount of illegal gatherings he attended during lockdowns his government set. This has caused a backbench rebellion with letters for votes of no confidence being sent |
