Tag Archives: Cabinet

Shades of grey: a challenging frontbench recognition test

I’ve written before about the frontbench recognition test which I inflict upon my first year politics students (see ‘Is it Yvette Harman?’). The test involves showing the students a  small selection of photographs of members of the frontbench team of each of … Continue reading

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Is it Yvette Harman? Frontbench recognition and leadership succession

At the beginning of each year I test my first year politics students by presenting them with a series of photographs of members of the frontbench teams of each of the three main political parties and asking them to identify them and … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Last preserve of the ‘establishment’? Who are the Privy Council?

This week the Privy Council will make a decision about the form of press regulation to be introduced following the Leveson Inquiry, but what exactly is this mystical body which is being invoked to solves the nation’s problems? The Privy … Continue reading

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