The Power behind the Prime Minister - Essay Example

The Power behind the Prime Minister In UK, the Head of the Government is the Prime Minister, but he is not the Head of the State, and that position goes to the Monarchy. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when the Bill of Rights was passed curtailing the rights of Monarch, George I, Parliament prohibited him from attending directly, but empowered him to appoint a cabinet, the leader of which was the Prime Minister and thus, the said office came into existence. The term was initially used as a derogatory term indicating Monarch’s pet or favourite. Professor Philip Worton in 1987, attributed four main functions to the office of the Prime Minister: In UK system, Prime Minister has a great deal of power. With these powers, is it possible for him to be a dictator with corrupt practises? Can he pay his way through to dictatorship of the worst kind in the world? UK Prime Minister could be termed as ‘dude with all the power’ once he is elected1. Today, most of the constitutional monarchies are prime ministerial by nature and structure. It is alleged that the Prime Minister’s office does not have much legal roots, but is open to speculation and calculation of historians and political scientists2. In recent years, perhaps the most accused Prime Minister as a dictator is Margaret Thatcher3. Not having properly written powers has not prevented the Prime Minister’s office from being in control of most of the situations4. The nature of the Prime Minister’s work is all-pervasive. He is the national leader, chief policy maker, Parliament leader, leader of the ruling party and the most powerful point in whole of United Kingdom and all information and power are at his disposal5. UK Prime Ministers are also charged of sometimes behaving like the United States President. The Prime Minister, even though appointed by the British Monarch, is bound by the constitutional convention and if happens to lose the majority in House of Commons, is bound to resign or request for a general election. To some extent, Prime Minister’s office is still a de facto shade in it; it is governed more by custom than by the law of the land. British Monarch is bound by Prime Minister’s advice and this gives the Prime Minister a more powerful position. He also can use certain royal prerogatives directly6. Even though Prime Ministers are never prevented from running the country in their own individual syle, the fact remains that the his position remains ambiguous as he is not empowered by any statutory authority, other than his position, usually, as the First Lord of the Treasury, which grants him his salary and the public accommodation. The office of the Prime Minister is more conventional than that of a rightful position from the Constitution. But during times of emergency, the office attains greater significance as demanded by the circumstances7. As the Prime Minister is entitled to ‘create a Cabinet’, a corrupt Prime Minister can take advantage of this situation and fill the posts with his own people, who would blindly support him under all circumstances. As the Monarch’s Royal Prerogative is applied by Prime Minister’s advice, he could give the monarch feedbacks and suggestions, which would eventually serve his purpose and misguide the Sovereign in matters of country and law. The ‘face’ of the Royal power, the Cabinet can be bought by the Prime Minister and the whole set of officials, cabinet ministers, and even the members of the Ruling Party could be in his favour, if he bribes and favours them. He has power over Privy Counsellors, Ambassadors, Civil Servants, High Commissioners, army, military officers, judges, Bishops and Archbishops of the Church of England. Almost all these posts are filled up with the Prime Minister’s advice to the Sovereign and a corrupt Prime Minister can bring his own people, with the ultimate goal of becoming a dictator. Even the peerages, knighthoods etc. are given only on the Prime Minister’s advice8. This does not mean that there are no checks and control over the power of the Prime Minister. He is only ‘First among the equals’ and his colleagues can question his actions. Titular and weak Prime Ministers ruled through the Cabinet. There are instances of ‘back bench rebellions’. At the same time, it should be reiterated that it always does not work that way, as nearly 90 ministerial offices are held by MPs and they might not like to go against Prime Minister for fear of losing their offices. It is also going against the party and can bring party disciplinary rules and getting re-elected might become a dream. Restraints from House of Commons do not work with a vast majority that would facilitate free passage of any Bill. House of Lords never opposes a bill that figures in the Election Manifesto of the ruling party, and is reluctant to curb the Prime Minister’s power. In the last fifty years, Prime Minister has been attaining more and more dominant stance, recognised as ‘Prime Ministerial Government’. Political Scientist Michael Foley argued that there is a De Facto British Presidency9. Judiciary, Law Lords, Privy Council and House of Lords do have power to curb the bills passed by House of Lords, but a brute majority can erode this power. Recently while referring to Terrorism bills that have been turned down by House of Lords, Government threatened to change a few laws to empower administration against terrorism and similar change can enable a Prime Minister to attain dictatorial powers. UK constitution still remains a non-codified one and defining the limits and controls over the powers of the Prime Minister might be a deterrent against any dictatorial designs of the Prime Minister. More powers could be granted to the Judiciary through a codified Constitution; but again, this should not undermine Parliamentary authority of the people. Above hypothetical situation apart, even though at parts some of the weaknesses do exist, it is not easy even for the most corrupt Prime Minister to bribe all connected institutions and individuals in his favour and here, the biggest deterrent is the existence of Monarchy as the Head of State. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Dennis Kavanagh and Anthony Seldon, The Power Behind the Prime Minister, The Hidden Influence of Number Ten, (London: HarperCollins), 1999. ONLINE SOURCES: 1. http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Prime%20Minister 2. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom Read More