Poll Tax

Poll tax as a Margaret Thatcher policy which would benefit the rich and negatively impact the poor. It would replace property tax, which was based on size, with a flat rate applicable to all residents actively within the UK. It was not supported by her cabinet and when tested in Scotland, it had poor results and reception.

Margaret Thatcher ignored her cabinet and forced the policy through, however she lost support and was forced out of office (loss of support, resignation due to pressure, unlikely to win Conservative leader vote). This shows that she was both strong but not immune.

Cabinet did not have an impact on her policy since she ignored them, however it forced her out.

attack, resignations, pressure, tiresome

Iraq

Iraq was a war effort alongside the US on claims of WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) and chemical weapons. Intelligence for this was poor, MI6 was politically pushed to misrepresent its findings in a ‘slanted’ way. It led to the deaths of many UK military members, but many more (thousands) of civilians. It was based upon the PMs support for the US as an ally no matter what.

no support of EU or UN

Tony Blair ignored his cabinet and intentionally lagged them behind on meets, being effectively held in past-tense, rather holding meetings in the No. 10 sofa, ‘sofa government’. Tony Blair lost some support however still remained as PM and was even re-elected, showing how much power he held.

Cabinet did not have an impact on his policy since he ignored them, and it did not force him out.

^ he was meeting with important people in sofa meetings by one self - unilateral, risky for Blair