There are however, some constraints as to which the Prime Minister can exercise his powers in making changes to the cabinet. The prime minister needs the cabinet’s support on major and/or controversial issues. He is therefore unable to behave in a completely free manner with his ministers. Moreover, senior ministers have authority and may challenge the prime minister’s preferred policy.
Another significant power in the possession of the Prime Minister is the control of the government agenda. Although the prime minister might also be able to influence the items which make their way into the agenda, the significance of this power mainly lies on the ability to prioritise certain issues. The prime minister possesses the power to direct government policy, and has the authority to become involved in policy areas of his choosing. However, because the prime minister does not head a government department and has no specific field to which his policy making role is confined with, he is constrained by lack of resources available to a government department.
Since the success or failure of carrying out certain policies often determine the position of the prime minister at later stages of government, it is important that political reward follows their efforts. The Falkland War in 1982 which was considered to be a success, strengthened Margaret Thatcher’s position as prime minister, whilst in the case of the poll tax policy failure undermined her authority.
Another example in this case can be the controversial reasoning on the Iraq war, for which Tony Blair is still paying the price. No other decision during Tony Blair’s eight year reign of power has been able to undermine Tony Blair’s power to this extent. It can be argued that the prime minister’s downfall started from the day he sent his troops to Iraq despite failing to win public support for his decision.
One other main power that lies in the hands of the prime minister is the control he exerts on the parliament. Because the prime minister is the leader of the party forming the majority in the House of Commons, he has the ability to ensure his ideas become law. As long as the Prime minister’s party members support him in his policies, he can be sure that he will be able to gain legitimacy for his policies. In fact, the prime minister appoints a chief whip whose responsibility is to ensure that the government’s wishes are carried out by having the Labour MPs’ parliamentary votes and in the standing committees of the House of Commons.
From 1997, when Labour came to power, the whip system had been working perfectly for Tony Blair. All of his Bills were passed by parliament and despite few occasional party rebellions- such as the one against the Iraq war- he did not face serious challenge from within the parliament. Very recently however, Tony Blair’s authority and his power to control the parliament have been undermined. Less than a month ago 49 Labour MPs voted against the governments 90 day detention without charge Bill which brought about Tony Blair’s first defeat in the House of Commons.
