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EnglandPoliticsQuick questions
Component 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas
Quick questions on Ministerial responsibility and prime ministerial power - Edexcel A-Level Politics Component 2
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is tony Blair?Show answer
With landslide majorities Blair governed in a presidential, bilateral style, sidelining full Cabinet for "sofa government", a strong Number 10 and special advisers, and dominating policy (constitutional reform, public-service investment). Yet he was constrained by Gordon Brown's control of economic policy, faced a major rebellion over the 2003 Iraq war, and was eventually pressured to set a departure date, showing the limits of dominance.
What is margaret Thatcher?Show answer
Thatcher was a famously dominant PM who drove policy (privatisation, the poll tax) and marginalised opponents, but her isolation from Cabinet and party over Europe and the poll tax led senior colleagues (Howe, Heseltine) to turn against her, and she was forced out in 1990, the clearest demonstration that a PM ultimately depends on Cabinet and party support.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain and analyse three factors that strengthen the position of the Prime Minister. [9 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Evaluate the view that the Cabinet is no longer an important decision-making body. [30 marks]
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