Some political commentators have suggested that the British prime minister is one ofthe most powerful figures. Lord Hailsham for example has described the office as being one of ’elected dictatorship'.

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Some political commentators have suggested that the British prime minister is one of the most powerful figures. Lord Hailsham for example has described the office as being one of ’elected dictatorship'. Certainly the question of the position of the prime minister has come back into consideration again with the Blair government and its apparently unassailable position in the House of Commons.

The source of the PM's powers lie principally in convention, unlike other systems which have a written constitution, setting out the respective powers of the different parts of government. The prime minister is chosen simply as being the leader of the largest party in the Commons, and the powers he has derive from the Royal Prerogative i.e. the powers once exercised by the monarch have been taken up in practice by the PM, although the monarch still has a formal role, for example it is the Queen who dissolves parliament, but on the advice of the PM; or it is the Queen who appoints the Bishops of the C of E and senior judges but on the advice of the PM.

The presidents of democratic republics are bound by written constitutions. They don’t have nearly as much power with comparison to the monarchical Prime Minister. Between Blair and Bush it is evident who has more power in his hands. A comparison of economic and military might would have been no contest. But for all his apparent strength, George Bush cannot declare war without the approval of Congress. Blair used the monarchical prerogative to go to war in September without the approval of anyone

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The main prerogative powers exercised by the PM are: 

1 Patronage:

Appointment of ministers, senior judges, Bishops, ambassadors, EU commissioners and members of quangos (non-elected governmental bodies). There are about 100 posts in the government from junior minister upwards and this payroll vote is a good disciplining factor for MPs generally. The prime minister is also able to recommend the award of honours to individuals, from peerages and knighthoods  to MBEs. AS government's role has grown this century, so have the patronage powers of the PM. Some have suggested that ministerial and even judicial  appointments be subject to parliamentary ...

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