The Firing Line: When and Why Do Prime Ministers Fire Ministerial Colleagues?

Keith Dowding, Elizabeth McLeay

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    Prime Ministers (PMs) in parliamentary systems shape ministerial succession through hiring and firing their ministerial colleagues.1 This chapter identifies the different ways in which PMs in New Zealand (NZ) and the United Kingdom (UK) punish ministers who perform poorly, examining the similarities and differences that exist both institutionally and in the personality or style of the PMs involved. We explore this issue by thinking about the relationship between PMs and ministers in agency terms. Cabinet government can be thought of as a system whereby the government is accountable to parliament and through parliament to the electorate. In practice that line of accountability works through the party (Brennan and Hamlin, 1993; Strøm, 2000). The PM is supported by her party (or parties in coalition governments) whilst the party gains enough public support.2 The PM’s role is to construct and direct government on behalf of her party, and each minister is directly an agent of the PM and through her indirectly an agent of their party.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHow Power Changes Hands: Transition and Succession in Government
    EditorsPaul 't Hart and John Uhr
    Place of PublicationBasingstoke and New York
    PublisherPalgrave Macmillan Ltd
    Pages157-173
    Volume1
    Edition1st
    ISBN (Print)9780230242968
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

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