Rulers and Servants of the State: The Blair Style of Government 1997–2004

The author examines changes in the style of the Blair premierships over their first seven years, stressing the shared centrality of the command Prime Minister and the command Chancellor of the Exchequer; the division of functions between them; the degree to which, in power terms, they are the rulers of Whitehall, leaving other Cabinet members their servantn. He also examines the Blair way of war cabinetry and the factors which motivate him on the road to war. He does not believe the command premiership model is required by modern governing circumstances and speculates that a more collegial style could return under a future Prime Minister.