Tony Blair
Labour Party PM
1997-2007
Political Parties
• The 2 BIGGEST Political Parties in the UK are
Labour and Conservative. The Conservatives
sometimes called the Tories have been the
dominant party for most of the 1900’s.
• There are several other players like the Liberal
Democrats and UKIP.
• Because the UK uses a First past the Post
system these 3rd parties have typically had a
hard time getting MP’s elected.
Nowadays,
Political
Parties rely
on
charismatic
candidates for
PM and
campaign
manifestos to
attract voters.
Recent Success
• The Labour Party had
success for much of the
early 2000’s in large part
because of Tony Blair’s
open image and media
savvy campaign.
• Blair also continued the
trend started by Thatcher
of consolidating power
into the hands of the PM.
The 3rd Way
• Blair also continued
with Thatcher’s
privatization
efforts. He coopted
some of Labour’s
positions – moving
his party towards
the center.
The Wrong Way?
• Blair spent much of his
political capital
supporting George W.
Bush and the invasion
of Iraq.
• This was and continues
to be a controversial
both within the UK and
especially among the
EU nations.
Prime Minister
Notes
• Prime Ministers are members of Parliament but
they are extremely powerful.
• MP’s serve in the PM’s cabinet – Example
Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury).
• Collective Responsibility means that the entire
cabinet must agree on all major policy decisions
and can go down with the ship (Vote of NO
Confidence).
• New Elections are held every 5 years. No more
Early Elections.
Prime Minister
Notes
Votes of NO Confidence – A majority vote in the legislature can force
the resignation of the government.
David Cameron
Conservative Party PM
2010 - present