In what ways does the prime minister in Britain control house of commons?

Answer 1

Strictly speaking the Prime Minister does not in any way control the House of Commons. Administrative control rests in the office of the Speaker of the House, who is appointed by vote of the House. Likewise, political control is exercised by each party's Chief Whip.


It may be worth asking the question, how does the Prime Minister get appointed ? The Prime Minister is appointed by the Monarch. Convention dictates that the leader of the largest grouping in the House is asked, be that grouping a single party or a coalition of parties. Thus, the method a particular party selects its leader determines who that party's candidate for PM will be.


A particular party, and therefore its candidate for PM, only leads by consent of the House. Thus at any time, any member of parliament can table a vote of no-confidence, the loss of which will cause the government to fall, forcing a general election. Likewise, the leader of a party, typically only leads that party so long as it consents. In recent times both major British parties have changed their leader, and by consequence the Prime Minister through internal party selection: Margaret Thatcher against her wishes, and Tony Blair, through a planned exit.


So, in a real sense, so long as the PM retains confidence of his or her party and confidence of a majority of the MPs, he or she controls the House through the office of the Chief Whip.


In a strict constitutional sense, the Speaker is in administrative control, and the Prime Minister (sharing cabinet consensus) exerts control through the Whip's office.


Of course, practically, the Whip ensures that the consequence of voting against party lines is severe and will try to ensure that party discipline is maintained. By virtue of leading the largest party, and being able to field a majority vote the Prime Minister "controls" the House of Commons.