Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR) Flashcards
What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)?
A constitutional convention holding ministers individually accountable to Parliament for:
* Their personal conduct
* The actions of their department
* The general governance of their portfolio
Failure in any of these areas can lead to resignation or dismissal.
What does personal accountability entail for ministers under IMR?
Ministers are responsible for their own behavior and ethical standards. They are expected to resign or face dismissal if guilty of personal misconduct.
Examples include Priti Patel (2017) and Chris Huhne (2012).
Give an example of a minister who resigned due to personal misconduct.
Priti Patel (2017) – Resigned after unauthorized meetings with Israeli officials, breaching the Ministerial Code.
Another example is Chris Huhne (2012) for perverting the course of justice.
What does departmental accountability mean in the context of IMR?
Ministers must take responsibility for departmental actions and failures, even if unaware of specific incidents.
Ministers are expected to ensure effective governance and proper oversight.
Name a minister who resigned due to departmental accountability.
Amber Rudd (2018) – Resigned over the Windrush scandal after misleading Parliament about deportation targets.
Esther McVey (2018) also resigned over the mishandling of Universal Credit.
How does IMR differ from Collective Ministerial Responsibility (CMR)?
IMR applies to individual ministers for personal and departmental actions, while CMR requires all ministers to publicly support government decisions.
Disagreement is allowed privately, but ministers must resign if they cannot support government policy.
Provide an example of a minister who resigned under CMR.
Robin Cook (2003) – Resigned from the Cabinet over opposition to the Iraq War.
This highlights the distinction between individual and collective responsibility.
When are ministers expected to resign under IMR?
Ministers are expected to step down if responsible for serious policy failures, misconduct, or ethical breaches.
Political factors may influence whether resignation occurs.
Name a minister who resigned due to a conflict of interest.
David Blunkett (2005) – Resigned over a conflict of interest involving a visa application.
This illustrates the seriousness of ethical breaches under IMR.
What is an example of a minister who did not resign despite criticism?
Boris Johnson backing Dominic Raab (2021) despite criticisms of his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
This shows how Prime Ministerial support can affect accountability.
Fill in the blank: Under IMR, ministers can be dismissed for _______.
[serious policy failures, misconduct, or ethical breaches].
These factors are critical for ministerial accountability.
True or False: Under IMR, ministers are only accountable for their own actions.
False.
Ministers are accountable for both personal conduct and the actions of their department.
What does the Ministerial Code outline?
Expected standards of conduct
It includes ethical and procedural rules for ministers.
Who is responsible for the enforcement of the Ministerial Code?
The Prime Minister
Enforcement is discretionary and varies based on the Prime Minister’s judgment.
How does the Ministerial Code relate to Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)?
It provides a formal written basis for IMR
Parliament and the public use the Code to hold ministers accountable.
What should breaches of the Ministerial Code lead to?
Resignation
However, enforcement is often inconsistent.
Who resigned in 2011 for violating the Ministerial Code?
Liam Fox
He allowed a close friend to attend official meetings.
What happened to Priti Patel in 2017 regarding the Ministerial Code?
She resigned over breaches but was later reappointed
This demonstrates the discretionary nature of enforcement.
What factors influence the Prime Minister’s decision on ministerial resignations?
Political loyalty, media pressure, public opinion
These factors can affect the enforcement of the Ministerial Code.
What scandal in 2022 involved Boris Johnson’s handling of a ministerial breach?
Chris Pincher scandal
Johnson faced severe backlash due to his response to the scandal.
What is a major criticism of the enforcement of the Ministerial Code?
Inconsistent enforcement
Some ministers resign immediately while others survive scandals.
What event is associated with Boris Johnson and the Ministerial Code in 2022?
Partygate
He breached the Ministerial Code but refused to resign, undermining public trust.
How is IMR often perceived due to its application?
Symbolic rather than functional
This perception arises from selective application of the rules.
Who survived a media scandal in 2012 related to BSkyB’s takeover bid?
Jeremy Hunt
His survival raised concerns over impartiality.
What is a call made by critics regarding IMR enforcement?
Independent enforcement mechanisms
Critics argue for an independent ethics adviser following scandals.
What is the growing complexity of government affecting ministerial accountability?
It makes full personal accountability impractical due to the scale and complexity of modern government
Ministers are responsible for large bureaucracies, making it unrealistic for them to have detailed knowledge of every action or decision.
What does IMR stand for?
Individual Ministerial Responsibility
IMR is a convention that holds ministers accountable for the actions of their departments.
How do ministers manage decision-making within their departments?
They delegate decision-making to civil servants and expert advisors while remaining accountable for overall policy direction
IMR applies more to strategic leadership and major policy decisions.
What type of failures are ministers expected to be accountable for under IMR?
Major failures or scandals indicating poor leadership, systemic problems, or significant political consequences
This marks a shift from operational details to overall ministerial leadership.
What is an example of a major policy failure that could lead to ministerial resignation?
The Windrush scandal
This scandal exposed systemic issues within the immigration policy.
What types of failures may trigger a minister’s resignation?
- Ethical misconduct
- Policy mismanagement
- Major breaches of public trust
Resignation is more likely for serious failures than minor administrative errors.
What was the circumstance surrounding Andrew Mitchell’s resignation?
He resigned over the ‘plebgate’ scandal due to damage to his credibility and public trust
His resignation was not due to a policy failure.
How do political considerations affect the application of IMR?
They influence whether a minister resigns or survives based on loyalty, party stability, and media pressure
IMR is applied selectively rather than strictly adhering to convention.
What was Boris Johnson’s situation during the Partygate scandal?
He initially refused to resign despite breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules due to his political position and party support
This illustrates how political calculations can affect ministerial accountability.
What does the uncertainty of IMR in practice refer to?
The lack of clear rules for when IMR applies, influenced by political circumstances
Ministers may survive serious failures if they have Prime Ministerial backing.
Has the application of IMR weakened over time?
Yes, the expectation for resignation over every failure has declined, focusing now on serious misconduct
Critics argue that IMR has become selective and politically manipulated.
What is the criticism regarding the evolution of IMR?
Some argue it has become ‘selective’ and politically manipulated, undermining accountability
Others suggest that pragmatism is necessary given the scale of modern government.
What precedent was set for ministers regarding responsibility?
Ministers can deflect responsibility onto agency heads
How can ministers avoid political consequences for failures?
By framing failures as administrative rather than policy-related
What scandal involved the UK Border Agency in 2011?
Relaxation of border control checks allowing entry without security screening
What was Home Secretary Theresa May’s response to the UKBA scandal?
She refused to resign and blamed Brodie Clark for the policy implementation
What did the UKBA scandal demonstrate about ministerial accountability?
Ministers can distance themselves from operational failures
What trend is reinforced by the UKBA scandal?
Shifting accountability onto agency directors rather than ministers
What happens to ministers’ likelihood of resigning for departmental failures?
They are less likely to resign if they claim operational failure
What is the implication of blurred accountability for Parliament and the public?
Difficult to determine who is responsible for failures
How is ministerial responsibility changing?
Shifting towards a model where ministers focus on policy oversight
What are the potential consequences of shifting accountability?
- Reduced public trust in government accountability
- Increased politicisation of agency leadership
What is happening to the traditional model of Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)?
It is eroding due to increased delegation of operational responsibility
What political flexibility do ministers now have?
They can remain in office after major failures
What are the concerns raised by increased delegation of operational responsibility?
Complicates accountability and raises concerns over ministerial oversight
What is the trend regarding civil servants and public accountability?
Civil servants are increasingly held accountable in public, despite being meant to be impartial and anonymous.
This shift undermines the constitutional principle that ministers are accountable to Parliament for their departments.
How do ministers avoid political consequences for administrative failures?
Ministers shift blame onto civil servants, thereby facing less political risk while civil servants bear the consequences.
This includes disciplinary actions, dismissal, and public scrutiny.
What are the consequences civil servants may face for ministerial failures?
Civil servants may face:
* Disciplinary action
* Dismissal
* Public scrutiny
Civil servants do not answer directly to the public, which undermines ministerial accountability.
What was the significant error in the 2012 West Coast Main Line Franchise Scandal?
The Department for Transport made significant errors in awarding the West Coast Main Line rail franchise, leading to financial losses and a legal challenge.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin admitted mistakes but did not resign; instead, three civil servants were suspended.
What was the outcome for the civil servant who took legal action in the West Coast Main Line Franchise Scandal?
The civil servant took successful legal action and was reinstated.
This case highlighted the ability of ministers to delegate blame despite their responsibilities.
What does Professor Vernon Bogdanor argue about ministerial responsibility?
Ministers are responsible for their civil servants and must ensure they have the skills and resources needed to implement government policy.
Bogdanor asserts that holding civil servants publicly accountable undermines parliamentary democracy.
Why is public accountability weakened according to the text?
It becomes unclear who is responsible: the minister (who sets policy) or the civil servant (who carries out administration).
This confusion reduces ministerial oversight and transparency.
What are the implications of the shift towards civil servant accountability?
It undermines the traditional doctrine of Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR) and makes it harder to hold the government accountable for failure.
Ministers can deflect responsibility while civil servants take the fall, despite not being elected.
True or False: Civil servants are elected officials who directly answer to the public.
False
Civil servants are unelected and do not answer directly to the public.
Fill in the blank: The shift towards civil servant accountability leads to fewer _______ even in cases of serious administrative failures.
resignations
This indicates a significant change in the accountability landscape of government.
What do ministers have to do during parliamentary questions?
Justify their decisions by answering regular parliamentary questions
What is the purpose of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)?
Provides a high-profile platform for scrutiny
What is a limitation of PMQs?
Often becomes theatrical, prioritising political point-scoring over substantive accountability
What can MPs request through Urgent Questions (UQs)?
That a minister immediately address an issue in the House
Who has the discretion over granting Urgent Questions?
The Speaker of the House
What do departmental select committees do?
Scrutinise ministers and their departments
Which committee investigates ministerial accountability and ethics?
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC)
What is a limitation of select committees?
They lack enforcement powers and can only apply public and political pressure
What can extreme cases lead to in Parliament?
Censure motions or a no-confidence vote against a minister
What was the outcome of the censure motion against David Cameron?
It had no real consequences
Who decides whether to dismiss a minister?
The Prime Minister
What happened to Priti Patel in 2020?
Found to have bullied civil servants, but Boris Johnson ignored the recommendation to remove her
How does a strong parliamentary majority affect accountability?
It can protect ministers from accountability
When do many ministers typically resign?
When the political cost of staying outweighs the cost of leaving
What led to Matt Hancock’s resignation?
Leaked CCTV footage showed him breaking lockdown rules
How effectively is IMR enforced by Parliament?
Weakly enforced in practice
What undermines the effectiveness of parliamentary mechanisms for enforcing IMR?
The Prime Minister’s discretion, partisan politics, and ministers’ strategic resignations
Fill in the blank: IMR is _______ enforced by Parliament.
Weakly
What role does investigative journalism play in accountability?
Investigative journalism uncovers scandals that parliamentary mechanisms often fail to address
Example: The Partygate scandal (2021-2022) exposed government officials breaking lockdown rules, leading to Boris Johnson’s resignation.
What was the impact of social media on public pressure regarding political accountability?
Outrage spreads rapidly on platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook, increasing the political cost of inaction
Example: The #HancockResign campaign helped force Matt Hancock’s resignation after leaked CCTV footage showed him breaking lockdown rules.
How do UK newspapers act as political actors?
UK newspapers often have strong political affiliations and campaign for or against ministers
Example: The Daily Mail and The Sun criticised Dominic Raab over bullying allegations, contributing to his eventual resignation.
Why do ministers fear public backlash more than parliamentary scrutiny?
Scandals exposed in the media directly impact public trust and electoral prospects, making survival difficult for ministers.
What limitation does a Prime Minister face regarding public opinion?
While a prime minister can protect a minister from parliamentary scrutiny, they cannot ignore a scandal that dominates headlines and public discourse.
What is the relationship between media exposure and parliamentary action?
Media exposure often leads to parliamentary action
Example: The Westminster expenses scandal (2009) was first revealed by The Daily Telegraph, prompting MPs to act due to public pressure.
What is a key issue with parliamentary accountability?
Parliament often fails to enforce IMR due to party loyalty and PM discretion.
What has become the primary enforcer of ministerial accountability?
The media has become the primary enforcer of ministerial accountability.
Fill in the blank: The reliance on media pressure over parliamentary mechanisms highlights the decline of _______.
constitutional conventions.
What characterized Boris Johnson’s approach to ministerial accountability?
Erosion of Accountability
Johnson’s time in office was marked by scandals like Partygate and lobbying issues.
How did Boris Johnson’s leadership impact the perception of accountability?
Weakening of Accountability and Selective Enforcement of Rules
Ministers accused of misconduct were often not held to the same standards, leading to diminished public trust.
What event led to Boris Johnson’s resignation?
Collapse of confidence within the Conservative Party
This was a result of his failure to uphold ministerial standards.
What was Rishi Sunak’s primary intention upon taking office?
Restoring ‘integrity, professionalism, and accountability’
This was in response to the controversies of Johnson’s leadership.
What steps did Rishi Sunak take to improve oversight?
Independent investigations and appointment of an independent adviser
These were measures to reintroduce a formal system of oversight.
Name one scandal that occurred during Rishi Sunak’s tenure.
Gavin Williamson’s resignation due to bullying allegations
Other scandals included resignations of Dominic Raab and Nadhim Zahawi.
What was the impact of Rishi Sunak’s reforms on ministerial accountability?
Partial Restoration
Although accountability improved, not all recommendations from the Committee on Standards in Public Life were implemented.
What key reform did Rishi Sunak’s government reject?
Proposal to enshrine the Ministerial Code in law
This would have provided stronger legal safeguards for accountability.
What has been Keir Starmer’s focus as a political leader?
Restoring ethical standards in the political system
He positioned himself as a reformer committed to public service and integrity.
What significant reform did Starmer introduce in 2024?
Establishment of an independent watchdog
This watchdog can initiate investigations without government approval.
What requirement was reintroduced under Starmer’s reforms?
Clear requirement for ministers to follow international law
This requirement had been removed under David Cameron.
What are the Nolan Principles of Public Life?
Standards for public office holders
They were restored by Starmer after being removed by Johnson.
What ongoing concern exists regarding Starmer’s handling of gifts?
Ministers can accept gifts with a requirement to assess public confidence
Critics argue this policy does not go far enough in banning gifts.
What overall impact have Starmer’s reforms had on IMR?
Strengthened Oversight
While mechanisms for accountability have improved, ethical standards remain subject to debate.
How has IMR evolved in recent years?
Shift towards stronger ethical oversight
Political leaders still have significant discretion over accountability rules.
True or False: Rishi Sunak’s government fully committed to robust reforms.
False
Sunak’s government rejected key reforms, resulting in incomplete restoration of ethical standards.
