Evaluate the view that the conventions of ministerial responsibility no longer adequately accounts for the actions of ministers.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Collective Cabinet Responsibility
• Individual Ministerial Responsibility
• Civil Service

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

It has been argued that ministerial responsibility accounted for the actions of ministers, however, now ministerial responsibility is grossly inadequate, and the doctrine is often not adhered to

Question 3

Adequate - CCR - Point

Answer 3

There is an argument that CCR is still seen as important and that ministers will step down if they disagree with policies. Moreover, the recent suspensions are not unusal and have occured since the EEC referendum in 1975

Question 4

Adequate - CCR - Examples

Answer 4

• Lord Frost resigned in December 2021 due to concerns about the current directions of travel with regards to covid restrictions. Lord Wolfson resigned over Partygate
• CCR was most noteably suspended during the 2016 Brexit Referendum, several government ministers, such as Michael Gove and Chris Grayling openly campaigned against the government

Question 5

Inadequate - CCR - Point

Answer 5

Recent there has been a lax with ministerial resignations, and when ministers have resigned there has been serious damage to the Party and Cabinet. The suspensions do also mean that ministers are not adequately held to account

Question 6

Inadequate - CCR - Examples

Answer 6

• The resignation of 57 government ministers, in July 2022 led to the downfall of Boris Johnson, and his departure as PM
• The pressure group, Vote Leave, created a bus saying that £350M a week would be put into the NHS, this was supported by many Brexiteer ministers. Later it was found that this was made up and these ministers have never adequately been held accountable

Question 7

Adequate - IMR - Point

Answer 7

It could be said that ministers still feel the need to implement Individual Ministerial Responsibility if they have broken the code. The media also plays a hugely influential role in marking sure IMR is enforced

Question 8

Adequate - IMR - Examples

Answer 8

• Steven Bate resigned after turning up to a speech at the House of Lords 3 minutes late, as it was an improper way to present himself
• In 2021, when The Sun published a video of Health Secretary Matt Hancock, kissing his aide during the Covid pandemic, the media continually pressured him to resign

Question 9

Inadequate - IMR - Point

Answer 9

Recently there have been massive problems with the enforcement of Indivudal Ministerial Responsibility which have compromised this entire doctrine

Question 10

Inadequate - IMR - Examples

Answer 10

• At the end of 2021, many ministers were accused of holding parties which, due to covid, were illegal. This developed into the Partygate scandal, the Met Police fined 83 MPs, including Johnson and Sunak
• After it was found that Nadhim Zahawi had unpaid taxes, there were calls for him to resign as Conservative Party Chair, however, he stood firm and ended up having to be sacked by Sunak

Question 11

Adequate - Civil Service - Point

Answer 11

The civil service is the instiution behind much of the government’s policy. However, the anonymity of the civil service has meant that failures can only be pinned on the ministers

Question 12

Adequate - Civil Service - Example

Answer 12

• The impartiality of the civil service is important for CCR, it is widely accpeted that the elected ministers decide and the civil service advise
• In 2017, when the Windrush Scandal emerged, the Home Affairs Select Committee found there had been large targets set, the then Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she had no knowledge. Evidence then emerged that she did and she was forced to resign

Question 13

Inadequate - Civil Service - Point

Answer 13

There are ways to bypass the anonymity of the civil service, this means that the Cabinet are not effectively held accountable for their decisions

Question 14

Inadequate - Civil Service - Examples

Answer 14

• When Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, she created Next Step Agencies in 1988 which were headed by Cheif Executives. This made it easier for the blame to be passed elsewhere
• In August 2020, Education Secretary Gavin Williams was at the centre of a dispute involving the use of an algorithm to determine exam results, when it went wrong the blame was passed to Ofqual. Roger Taylor admitted they did not want to use the algorithm, but it was Sally Collier that was forced to resign not Williams