Is The British Prime Minister Becoming "Presidential"�?

Some commentators have argued that the British Prime Minister is becoming 'presidential'. During the 1980s, this development was associated with Margaret Thatcher's premiership. According to Johnson, Thatcher had a habit of making policy on the hoof and she reduced the number, documentation, and the duration of Cabinet meetings. In fact, in 1989, the PM's department cost more to run than the Queen's household. Johnson also mentions Thatcher's presence in pictoral form at Tory Party meetings, the mother-of-the-nation act at the time of national disasters and the persistent taking of the salute at military occasions. Foley explains that Thatcher's perceived domination of government revived interest in the traditional debate between prime ministerial power and the power of the Cabinet.

The notion of "presidentialism" can also be seen in Tony Blair's premiership, it is argued. Resignations of government ministers, particularly over the war in Iraq, and Blair's continuing rhetoric over the War on Terrorism are just two illustrations of the Prime Minister's presidential style of government.

The Prime Minister is the reflection of a parliamentary system of government. PM's certainly will not shift to a 'less powerful position'.

Letitia.