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8 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Access to the media |
. The growth of mass media since WW2 (especially 1970s and TV) has been a major factor for the PM . Information is 24/7, comment is instant in a social media age - much of which focuses on the PM or is used by the PM - This is a significant cause for the notion that we have a 'presidential prime minister' |
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Media strengthens or weakens the PM |
. Growth of the 'political celebrity' - Power to go direct to the public, E.g John Major 'put up, or shut up' speech in 1995 - The speech showed power as it made everyone focus on him but there was weakness in making the speech in the first place . Media's obsession with personality and image means focus on person, not party - Wasn't as important in the past, E.g Roosevelt was a cripple . Control/'spin' enables the PM/No 10 to try and lead the political narrative - E.g Thatcher and Bernard Ingham, Blair and Alastair Campbell, Brown and Charlie Whelan, Cameron and Andy Coulson...then Theresa and Fiona Hill until snap election |
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Rise of the spin doctor |
. The rise of 'spin' is a feature of PM leadership - A constant process of trying to dominate the media/political agenda . A 'dark art' (post Blair years it has become an issue of concern) . It has lead to a whole new actor in UK politics - the 'spin doctor' |
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Spinning the media - techniques |
. Leaks - those attributable briefings . Vetting of information/arguments before being released to the media . Feeding stories to sympathetic ears . Releasing information close to media deadlines, to prevent questioning . Burying news - releasing information that's bad on a day no one will notice . Backing certain newspapers/outlets so criticism is muted |
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Media bad influence |
. Bad stories - e.g policy blunders, such as 'dementia tax' (Blair taxing the elderly) or poor leadership, such as May's 2017 and Brown's 2010 election . Problems can be turned into a crisis, e.g Greenfell Tower fire . Emphasis on 'spin' can be counter-productive leading to credibility issues - E.g Blair dodgy dossier leads to the Hutton Inquiry and David Kelly's death |
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Constraints on PM powers |
. The Cabinet* . The media . The party** . Events . The electorate |
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Constraints on PM examples |
. Cabinet 'big beasts' - those who have seniority in office, party standing and public profile . 1990 - Thatcher was ultimately removed by a 'cabinet coup' (Geoffrey Howe, DPM) . 1997-2007 - Blair and Brown's political 'relationship' . 2010-15 Cameron constrained by coalition . 2017 May's loss of a majority (and the DUP?) |
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Other facts |
. The social mobility board set up after May becoming PM - Dec 2017 All four members have resigned, such as Alan Milburn, in protest at the lack of progress towards a "fairer Britain" - as all her energy is being put into Brexit and lacks power due to her no majority . May received a secret letter from Boris Johnson and Michael Gove giving her instructions on how to orchestrate a hard Brexit - She has to follow or she'll lose some of the little support she has . Leave means leave letter published December 2017 |
