This controversial book examines the new resources, strategies and motivations of British political leadership and argues that together they have produced nothing less than the emergence of a British presidency. Michael Foley asserts that there has been a dramatic and qualitative change in the political nature and dynamics of the premiership. By overcoming the cultural and constitutional objections to making a serious comparison with the American presidency, he offers an array of insights into both offices and argues not that they have converged, but that they have begun to move along parallel lines of development. With its cogent challenge to the customary perspectives, this book sets out to change the terms of the debate surrounding the subject of British political leadership and government.