collective ministerial responsibility

Question 1

What is CMR?

Answer 1

convention that members of cabinet must publicly support all gov decisions in cabinet even if they don’t privatelysupport them

Question 2

advantages of CMR

Answer 2

• United, strong, decisive gov
  
  • Public, media and parliament presented with a single version of policy
    Confidentially = conversation freely

UNITED FRONT!

Question 3

disadvantages of CMR

Answer 3

• Arguably too much power in hands of PM
  
  • Limits freedom of speech
  • Resignations and disagreements undermine the gov
  • For the minister: Constituency may not re-elect you if you are bound to collective responsibilty and must agree with disfavourale policies for the constituency
    For the individual minister: Implicated in untruths and must defend PM even if he has a bad rep/made mistakes

Question 4

Robert Cook resignation 2003

Answer 4

Disagreed with Blair and Iraq invasion, couldn’t uphold CMR so resigned and got standing ovation from all MPs, undermined Blair’s power

Question 5

Robert Jenrick 2023 resignation

Answer 5

disagreed with Rwanda bill so resigned as could not uphold CMR
bad for Sunak - weak leadership and makes the public doubt the bill

Question 6

problems with CMR under May

Answer 6

many ministers publicly disagreed with policies and faced no punishment - March 2019, 8 ministers voted agaisnt May to extend article 50 - one remained in post until June 2019

Question 7

CMR suspended

Answer 7

2016 brexit ref, 2011 AV ref, 2016 third runway vote

Question 8

suella braverman CMR

Answer 8

suella braverman resigning 2023 after criticising PM and london met police in response to protests - did not show collectivism to party so resigned

Question 9

…