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Tag Archives: Blair
Plus ça change: Ministers and Civil Servants
Under the energetic direction of the Cabinet Office Minister, Francis Maude, the current government is embarking on significant reform of the civil service. This may then be an appropriate moment to reflect on the experiences of previous Ministers in dealing with the … Continue reading
They really do work for you: Parliament, MPs and Prime Ministerial neglect
In a series of papers for the right-wing Centre for Policy Studies the Conservative MP, Andrew Tyrie, highlighted the problem of Prime Ministerial neglect of Parliament under Tony Blair, characterising Parliament as, Mr Blair’s Poodle. The data presented by Tyrie … Continue reading
The least glamorous job in Parliament?
Spare a thought for the poor Parliamentary Private Secretary, perhaps the least glamorous job in British politics. These unpaid Ministerial aides have all the responsibility of being part of the Government, with none of the power. Their job is to support … Continue reading
Some reflections on Prime Ministerial power
Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair were two of the most powerful Prime Ministers of recent times. Both led their parties to three general election victories with substantial majorities, and neither was defeated at the ballot box. Yet both were arguably to some … Continue reading
From The West Wing to Reservoir Dogs: Executive Power under Blair
At times during his time as Prime Minister Tony Blair was criticised for his reliance on a small coterie of political advisors and his apparent sidelining of the Cabinet, to the extent that several commentators observed that Number 10 often … Continue reading