Prime Minister Influence: 1997 to present (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Tony Blair's approach to leadership

Key policies

• Constitutional reform, including:

  • devolution for Scotland and Wales

  • the Human Rights Act

  • reform of the House of Lords

• Increased spending on health and education

• Introduced the National Minimum Wage

• Expanded civil rights

Achievements

• NHS modernisation through the NHS 2000 Plan

• Increased numbers of doctors and nurses and reduced waiting times

• Major constitutional reforms enacted

Failures

• Decision to invade Iraq (2003)

  • Controversial intelligence on weapons of mass destruction

  • Damaged public trust

  • Sparked mass protest

  • Divided the Labour Party, with 139 MPs opposing the war

• Introduction of university tuition fees, seen as a betrayal of Labour values

Cabinet

• Often bypassed full Cabinet discussion

• Relied on a centralised core executive

• Used bilateral meetings and advisers

• Strong media control and use of spin

• Cabinet influence reduced in favour of PM dominance

Your syllabus calls for two prime minister case studies, one pre-1997 and one post-1997. In reality you need more to ensure you are able to fully evaluate relevant questions

David Cameron's approach to leadership

Key policies

• Coalition policies (2010–15) reflected compromise between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats

• Austerity policies in response to the financial crisis

• Welfare reform, including Universal Credit

• Referendums on:

  • the AV voting system

  • Scottish independence

  • UK membership of the EU

Achievements

• The budget deficit reduced from 10% of GDP (2010) to 4% (2015)

• Delivered multiple referendums

• Oversaw military intervention in Libya and Syria

Failures

• The decision to call the EU referendum resulted in a vote to leave

• Party divisions deepened

• Austerity increased inequality and food bank use

• Universal Credit rollout led to delays and hardship

Cabinet

• Coalition required negotiation and compromise

• Liberal Democrat ministers constrained PM power

• Relied heavily on The Quad rather than full Cabinet

• PM authority weakened by the coalition context

Rishi Sunak's approach to leadership

Key policies

• Five priorities:

  • halving inflation

  • growing the economy

  • cutting debt

  • reducing NHS waiting lists

  • stopping the boats

• Policies were partly constrained by inheriting a long-running Conservative government

Achievements

• Negotiated the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland

• Stabilised the Conservative Party after Johnson and Truss

• Advanced the immigration control agenda

Failures

• The cost-of-living crisis continued to affect low-income households

• The Rwanda asylum policy failed to deliver its objectives

• Conservatives suffered a landslide defeat in the 2024 general election

Cabinet

• Used reshuffles to restore stability

• Brought back experienced figures, including David Cameron as Foreign Secretary

• Leadership style more collective and pragmatic

• Short tenure limited long-term Cabinet cohesion

Keir Starmer's approach to leadership

Key policies

• “Six First Steps for Change”, including:

  • achieving economic stability

  • reducing NHS waiting times

  • establishing Border Security Command

  • establishing Great British Energy

  • tackling anti-social behaviour

  • recruiting 6,500 teachers

Achievements (to end 2025)

• Reoriented Labour towards the political centre

• Great British Energy Act received royal assent (May 2025)

Failures (to end 2025)

• U-turns on winter fuel payments

• Cabinet resignations created controversy

• 2025 Budget controversy over tax rises and deficit claims

Cabinet

• Early indications of a moderate, collective leadership style

• Greater use of traditional Cabinet channels

• Less reliance on informal sofa government

• The cabinet relationship is still developing