Chapter 7 - 2/4 - Ministerial responsibility Flashcards
What are the 5 principles of collective responsibility?
- Ministers are collectively responsible for all government policies.
- All ministers must publicly support all government policies, even if they disagree in private.
- If a minister wishes to dissent in public they must resign.
- If a minister dissents without resigning they can expect to be dismissed.
- Any dissent within government is concealed.
What is the most important function of collective responsibility?
It supports prime ministerial power; their authority is greatly enhanced by the fact that they will not experience open dissent.
What is the payroll vote?
The fact government can rely on the votes of all ministers in any close division.
How do critics view collective responsibility?
They say it gags ministers as it stops them expressing their own views; supporters say it allows them to express their opinions openly within cabinet.
When was collective ministerial responsibility suspended in recent years?
During the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition.
Why was collective responsibility suspended in 2010-15?
It would have been impossible for ministers from two different parties to agree on every policy.
What solved to issue around collective responsibility during the coalition of 2010-15?
The Coalition Agreement
What was the Coalition Agreement?
It was a set of policies from both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that the party leaders decided should be common to both sets of ministers. Collective responsibility applied to everything within the Coalition Agreement, but some areas were excluded?
What was not included in the Coalition Agreement?
- The renewal of Trident, opposed by the Lib Dems.
- Intervention in the Syrian Civil War.
When was collective responsibility suspended after the coalition years?
EU referendum, June 2016
Which minister opposed the government line on membership of the EU?
Michael Gove
What precedent was there for suspending collective responsibility on membership of the EU?
The same had applied to the 1975 referendum on UK membership of the EEC.
What are the 3 positive aspects of collective responsibility?
- Creates a strong, united government.
- Public, Parliament, and media are presented with a clear version of government policy.
- Ministers can engage in frank discussion at cabinet meetings as the proceedings are kept secret.
What are the 3 negative aspects of collective responsibility?
- Puts too much power in the hands of the prime minister.
- ministers cannot be openly honest.
- Resignations under the doctrine are major events and cause instability.
What is each minister individually responsible for?
Matters that affect their own department.
What are the 4 principles of individual ministerial responsibility?
- Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the policies and decisions of their department.
- If a minister makes a serious mistake they should resign.
- If a serious error is made by the minister’s department, they should be required to resign regardless of whether they were personally involved in the error or not.
- If a minister’s personal conduct falls below the standards required of someone in public office they should resign or face dismissal.
What has happened to the principle of individual ministerial responsibility in recent years?
It has declined in importance.
Can Parliament remove a minister that they believe is not fit for public office?
No, that power is entirely in the hands of the prime minister.
What can Parliament do to a minister that is not fit for public office?
All they can do is criticise them on the floor of the Commons and in select committees and call for their resignation, but that is all.
What do ministers tend to do nowadays when an error is made?
Publicly apologise for the error but have not resigned or been dismissed.
Who resigned in 2012 over personal misconduct?
Andrew Mitchell
What position did Andrew Mitchell hold?
Chief whip
When did Andrew Mitchell resign?
2012
Why did Andrew Mitchell resign?
He insulted a police officer in Downing Street using abusive language.
