In order to assess whether Tony Blair's leadership is more presidential than prime ministerial, one must first consider the significant differences between the presidential and Parliamentary regimes.

The Presidential system of government is characterised by a constitutional separation of powers between the legislative (congress) and the executive (the Presidency). In Britain, however, the executive and legislative overlap. 'In theory, the US President exercises all of the prerogatives of the executive, and the British Prime Minister is obliged to share executive competencies. The US President (following advice from his staff and Cabinet) makes legislative recommendations to Congress, whereas the British Prime Minister (following consultations within the executive and having reached some form of collective agreement) issues legislative instructions to Parliament.'1

The US constitution secures the Presidents position in office for a term of four years and they cannot be dismissed by congress (except through impeachment). However, 'looser party discipline means the President cannot regularly command Congressional support for his policies since their party may be

The employment of techniques such as opinion polling in an attempt to determine policy positions according to public attitudes, and increased favourable media coverage through the use of spin doctors and public relations consultants are also commonplace in the American Presidency. It is widely acknowledged that British society has '......become more 'American' in terms of affluence, life-style and communication technologies, so there is a growing similarity in campaigning techniques adopted.'4 Subsequently, it is possible that the Parliamentary system has incorporated American political forms into their regime.

Tony Blair's premiership has seen a shift away from the mechanics of traditional government. He has not only revolutionised policy and decision making, but also administration. The extraordinary magnitude of Tony Blair's authority raises questioning with regards to the power of the Prime Minister in relation to the cabinet. One might also question whether Blair's radical changes to cabinet government have brought Parliament more in line with the presidential system. Evidence to suggest such a change, includes 'the infrequency and truncated length of cabinet meetings; Blair's regular abandonment of cabinet agendas; and the Prime Minister's clear preference for informal ad hoc meetings with small numbers of selected ministers and staff around his sofa in the private office.'16

A more specific comparison relating to the political stance of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair adds credulity to any parallels drawn previously. Not only do the two men share similar personal lives, but they both stood as centre-left leaders after successive lost elections, trying to reform party images and redefine centre-left status at a time of entrenched Conservative values. 'As a consequence of this active collaboration, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton assumed a close resemblance to one another in their choice of electoral strategies, in the adoption of policies in areas such as welfare reform, taxation and crime'5

The third area for comparison lies within the field of nationalism. The presidency has always maintained a close relationship with its public. 'The presidency has grown and expanded as the nation has grown and expanded.'14 It is the President who has been responsible for this inter-relationship. By guiding the development of office, they unwittingly assisted in the progression of the American nation. Today, an even closer relationship exists, fuelled by the sense of unity that comes into place during events of national importance. For example, events concerning military action or international tension are relayed to the American people through the person of the President. 'As such, they generate an intense national loyalty that devolves upon the presidential office as the only entity capable of giving symbolic and material substance to the idea of the nation.'15

Having come to power after succes

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Approximate Word count = 1971
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)