sorry, I'm a Brit
and I don't think that the PM is just a mouthpiece. Day to day I agree that whilst maybe having a greater say than your average MP, the Pm isn't some kind of God amongst men. He is, and should be, a first among equals. However, a strong PM that has a cabinet that supports him, or at least doesn't obstruct him, having to make a quick decision? That's going to come down, by necessity, to the leader. It's not practical to convene the commons, and as far as I'm aware COBRA is advisory, not supervisionary.

I may be wrong, I've not looked into it, but surely if time is a factor (the missiles are in the air? Unlikely, I know) then the power and decisions rests with the PM
( kappynitty doubled your entendre on, Tue 13 Apr 2010, 13:44, 2 replies)

Oh, for some reason
I thought you were an American.

I see your point, but that's a rather extreme example and in those situations, the PM usually just does what the American president tells him to do.

I don't doubt that the party will have some kind of mandate for behaviour in those situations, but I don't believe the PM has the power to make truly unilateral decisions.
( Kroney, Tue 13 Apr 2010, 13:53, closed)

to be fair i was talking about Cuban MC and McCain/Palin
and yes, it is an extreme situation. The fact I couldn't think of any other example does somewhat undermine my arguement about the importance of leaders personalities in case of having to make quick and necessarily unilateral decisions.

Bugger
( kappynitty doubled your entendre on, Tue 13 Apr 2010, 13:58, closed)

Do you mean COBR?

(thefuckestuppest cheapened this, on, Tue 13 Apr 2010, 16:37, closed)