7.2 - Ministerial Responsibility Flashcards
What is individual ministerial responsibility?
The principle that members of cabinet take ultimate responsibility for what occurs within their department.
Why are ministers account to Parliament for the actions of their department?
According to individual ministerial responsibility.
How should individual ministers justify the actions of their department?
Parliamentary debate
Written responses
Appearing before select committees
What happens if there is a serious mistake within a ministers department?
The minister is expected to resign.
For what reason should a minister resign, in accordance with individual ministerial responsibility?
- Administrative Failure
- Policy Failure
Why do some ministers hold onto ministerial posts despite policy or administrative failure?
They argue that they are not personally responsible for the actions of their department or government policy.
Why has it become easier for ministers to distance themselves for departmental failures?
The government has increasingly delegated services to non-civil service agencies.
Why are MPs expected to resign if their personal conduct is inappropriate?
It brings the government into disrepute.
‘Ministers of the Crown are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour and to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety.’
Why has the personal conduct of MPs become more difficult to hide?
The emergence of 24 hour news.
What is collective ministerial responsibility?
All members of the government must publicly support the government and should not disclose the contents of private ministerial discussions.
If the administration is defeated on a vote of no confidence, the convention also states that all members of the government must resign.
What happens if a government loses a vote of no-confidence?
The entire government is expected to resign.
Why is the entire government expected to resign after a lost vote of no confidence?
The principle of collective ministerial responsibility.
What does collective ministerial responsibility mean in the real world?
- Discussions within cabinet must be kept secret to maintain the integrity of government.
- Members of government must support governmental policies publically, even if they disagree in private.
- If a minister cannot agree with a policy publically, they must resign.
What happens in instances of coalition governments in regards to collective ministerial responsibility?
Certain areas are made exempt from collective ministerial responsibility.
What have been the biggest instances of collective ministerial responsibility failing?
EEC / EU membership.
