1. Party Leaders
Politics Lower 6

4. How does a leader establish themselves?
If a party can scent victory, it is often willing to let the leader implement policies and changes they consider necessary for power
If however electoral success seems distant parties can turn in on themselves and be plunged into civil war
Austin Ranney – ‘One of autocracy tempered by advice and information’
‘… amount of power given to leader… but emphasis on electoral success… created icons out of strong leaders.. Churchill, Macmillan, Thatcher’

5. Why is a Tory leader powerful?
Manifesto
Central Office and party machine
Appointment / Power of patronage (cabinet, party officials)
Tradition of strong central leadership with parliamentary system
Yet, it still remains a position of consent and generally if party is doing well, leader is supported yet a number of examples where this has been challenged in fallow times

6. The Labour Leader
More of an effort to keep leader accountable to party
1918 Constitution regulations (attendance at PLPs / use of shadow cabinet / importance of conference…)
Lack of control over party affairs in comparison with Conservative counterpart
Again though, recent years of Kinnock and especially Blair, increased centralisation of power – (effect on grass roots loyalty / opinion....?)

7. How are the party leaders appointed?
Conservatives
15% challenge / Open Letter 1922 Committee / 50% + 1 approval
Parliamentary Party / Membership final say
Examples of recent times – IDS / Howard / Cameron
ki/Conservative_Party_(U K)_leadership_election,_20 05
Labour
Electoral College system (PLP / PM / TU)
ki/Labour_Party_(UK)_lea dership_election,_2010
ki/Liberal_Democrats_lead ership_election,_2007

8. Which system do you prefer?
In pairs, think about which system you prefer of electing a political leader – think of both the pro’s and con’s of your argument
What considerations must a leader make to keep a tight hold on their reign of power?