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‘The Cabinet is the most important limitation on Prime Ministerial power’ - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 3 - 2017 - Paper 2
Question 3
‘The Cabinet is the most important limitation on Prime Ministerial power’. Discuss.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:‘The Cabinet is the most important limitation on Prime Ministerial power’ - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 3 - 2017 - Paper 2
Step 1
Arguments Supporting the Importance of the Cabinet
Answer
The Cabinet plays a crucial role in the governmental process, as it is responsible for approving all major policy decisions. This includes significant topics such as the deployment of troops, indicating that the Cabinet holds a substantial power of delegation and approval over the Prime Minister's actions.
Moreover, the Cabinet serves as a key coordinator of government policy. The Prime Minister must manage the government's affairs within this framework, which can serve as a limitation on their unilateral decisions. A Prime Minister relies on the Cabinet to communicate how to effectively run the various government departments, emphasizing that their authority is interdependent with that of the Cabinet.
In times of crisis, the Cabinet has also been referred to as 'insurance for troubled times,' where the PM can rely on the collective wisdom and discussions within the Cabinet to navigate through challenges effectively. For instance, during the coalition government from 2010 to 2015, the Prime Minister was notably influenced and sometimes constrained by the opinions and decisions made within the Cabinet, particularly from their coalition partners.
Step 2
Counterarguments: Cabinet's Diminished Role
Answer
However, there are significant arguments that suggest the Cabinet may no longer be the primary limitation on Prime Ministerial power. The expansion of Prime Ministerial power has left the Cabinet in a diminished role, where the PM often transcends the collective agreement of the Cabinet, asserting dominance as a central figure in decision-making.
The influence of the media has also grown to affect Prime Ministerial power significantly. The Prime Minister's fate can hinge on public image, which can outstrip the authority of the Cabinet whenever the media narrative is unfavorable. This evolving landscape of political power includes various entities such as the electorate, who express their discontent, thereby undermining the PM's control.
Additionally, events and crises may dictate terms that can constrain a PM, wherein failures can lead to severe consequences affecting credibility and political fortune, further pushing the Cabinet to a secondary role in governance. Legislative bodies, public opinion, and judicial decisions—highlighted by cases like Gina Miller's—underscore how external factors can impose limitations on the Prime Minister that overshadow internal Cabinet dynamics.
Step 3
Conclusion
Answer
In conclusion, while the Cabinet undoubtedly plays a significant role in shaping and limiting Prime Ministerial power through collective decision-making and governance coordination, the evolving political landscape suggests that the Prime Minister can exert considerable influence external to these constraints. The interplay between various entities in governance indicates a complex dynamic that transforms traditional limits on power.