Discuss whether Tony Blair has been a presidential pri.

A presidential system of government is characterised by a constitutional and political separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government. The assembly thus vests executive power in an independently elected president who is not directly accountable to or removable. The principle features of a presidential system are the following: the executive and the legislature are separately elected, and each is invested with a range of independent constitutional powers. The roles of head of state and head of government (the chief executive) are combined in the office of the presidency. Executive Authority is concentrated in the hands of the president, the cabinet and ministers being merely advisers responsible to the president. There is formal separation of the personnel of the legislative and the executive branches (except in semi-presidential systems). And, electoral terms are fixed. The president can neither 'dissolve' the legislature nor be dismissed by it (except through impeachment).

Tony Blair, shining new leader, and, in the wake of his victory, with the political world at his feet. His approval ratings soared in the summer a

On 16 March 1998, The Times reported: 'Party managers are now so concerned about Mr Blair's 'presidential' style that they are reviewing the whole structure of relations between the Prime Minister and his MPs.' The story detailed the alleged remoteness of the Prime Minister from key areas like the House of Commons tea-room. It seems the regular meetings with groups of MPs had been abandoned through lack of time and MPs were complaining of an aloof and inaccessible leader. Particular anger was directed at the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, hugely unpopular because of his £650,000 renovation of his apartment; it was felt he enjoyed protected status as Blair's former boss as head of chambers. Kenneth Clarke (channel 4, 19 April 1998) admittedly biased but still a shrewd observer, reckoned Blair loves the 'glitter' and presidential glamour of the job.

Labour experiments with a number of colours, like other parties, but still uses the traditional red as its official one. Blair is a wealthy man with a wealthy wife; he should not be criticised for enjoying the benefits of a comfortable life, especially when he works so murderously hard - sixteen to eighteen hours a day. Blair is a genuinely modest man who dislikes the attention he attracts and has a genuine desire to 'make a difference for the better'. It is true the media loved Blair in the aftermath of the election but this was not manipulated - merely the dividend of his success and newness. Besides, as The Economist noted, 'good government is not possible when government can no longer get a fair hearing, when every move is greeted with ridicule and contempt. Government had to recover some authority, which today comes only from a base of popular support. To that extent Mr Blair's success is not to be feared'.

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