Collective and Individual Ministerial Responsibility. Flashcards
What is Collective Responsibility?
All members of the government stick to an agreed policy and do not question it in public.
Why is it necessary?
Ensures ministers present a united front against opposition.
It means that discussions inside the cabinet remain private and disagreement remains confidential.
It binds the Government ministers collectively and are all held responsible for the actions and policies agreed upon.
Enhances the Prime Ministers power by having a government backing.
What are the strains on CMR?
Leaks - Disgruntled ministers and advisers may be dissatisfied about what was agreed in a cabinet meeting, so could secretly leak the policy.
Dissent and non-resignation - Cabinet members who oppose aspects of government policy have remained in Office - e.g., Thatcher’s first cabinet opposed her economic policy, however no one resigned.
Prime ministerial Dominance - Some cabinet ministers have said that PM’s such as Thatcher and Blair undermined CMR by ignoring the cabinet.
What are Exceptions to CMR?
Referendums - Brexit
Coalitions - 2010 coalition - Liberal Democrats would not be bound to CMR, this was bad as there were many disagreements such as the abandonment of the HOL reform.
Free Votes - May be granted to ministers for issues of conscience - 2 cabinet ministers against a same sex marriage bill in 2013.
What is expected if ministers don’t accept government policy?
Ministers are expected to resign.
What are examples of resignations due to Collective Ministerial Responsibility?
Robin Cook - Leader of the HOC - Resigned as he couldn’t support government policy on invading Iraq in 2003.
Ian Duncan Smith - Work and Pensions Secretary - Resigned as he couldn’t support the planned cuts to disability benefits, calling the cuts ‘indefensible’ in 2016.
Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid - Chancellor and Health Secretary - Resigned their respective positions, as they saw the PM as incompetent in July 2021.
What are examples of ministers going against the Collective Ministerial Responsibility?
Boris Johnson publicly voiced his strong opinions about refusing to listen to fellow cabinet member David Davis. He did not resign.
Theresa May excused any minister from the responsibility during the Heathrow decision.
Cabinet ministers were allowed to disagree with Brexit.
What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility?
Ministers have a responsibility for their own conduct in office s well as to parliament.
What are the two branches of Individual Ministerial Responsibility?
Legal and Political.
What is Legal IMR?
Ministers are responsible for all that goes on in their departments whether they aren’t/ are directly concerned and if they mislead parliament.
What is Political IMR
Ministers are responsible for their own personal conduct.
