Rapid turnover in defence and other spending ministries contrasts with the relative stability of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A chancellor often remains in office for much of a prime minister's tenure, while a defence secretary must always anticipate the next reshuffle. That longer institutional memory strengthens the Treasury in arguments over multi-year, multibillion-pound programmes. Personnel continuity can shape policy power even when formal constitutional authority stays the same.
Notable Point · 28:47-30:04
Continuity gives the Treasury institutional power
Chancellors commonly remain alongside a prime minister, giving the Treasury continuity that frequently reshuffled spending departments lack.