What Are The Arguments Against The Increasing “presidentialism” Of The British Prime Minister?

Some political commentators are sceptical about the presidential power argument. For example, Burch notes that there are restrictions on the Prime Minister's formal power to appoint and dismiss ministers. He also points out that there are limits on the involvement of the Prime Minister in the initiation of policy and that there are constraints on the capacity of the Prime Minister to control government business. Jones says that the Prime Minister is only as strong and powerful as their colleagues allow them to be. The significance of this statement is underlined by the downfall of Thatcher, and later on, John Major. Signs of this notion can be seen in Tony Blair's premiership, particularly with dissenting former government ministers such as Claire Short and backbench Labour MPs causing frustration to Blair over a number of measures.

Some argue that the presidential analogy glosses over the very different constitutional position of an American President compared to a British Prime Minister. For example, the American President has a much weaker hold on the legislature.

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