Ministerial Responsibility Flashcards
What is a minister?
- Cabinet ministers - heads of government departments
- Junior ministers - work in a government department under a cabinet minister
Define:
Individual ministerial responsibility?
Holds ministers responsible for the actions of them and their department
2 Examples of IMR working?
- Amber Rudd resigned in 2018 over the Windrush scandal
- Matt Hancock resigned in 2021 over social distancing
2 pros of IMR?
- strong standard of behaviour expected from ministers
- holds government to account
Name:
One con of IMR
Ministers do not have to resign or take responsibility.
1 Example of IMR not working?
Theresa May did not resign in 2011 over weakened border checks
Define:
Collective ministerial responsibility
Ministers must publicly support cabinet policies
2 examples of CMR?
- 2018 - Boris Johnson disagreed with the governments chequers deal for leaving the EU
- 2013 - Lib Dems sided with the conservatives in opposing a mansion tax in order to maintain a united coalition.
What is the aim of CMR?
- Make the government appear united
- Gives the government a clear position
- Can be relaxed in certain situations
Name:
One downside of CMR
Ministers have to support policies they don’t agree with
Name:
One example of relaxed CMR
- EU Referendum - David cameron relaxed it so Ministers could support leave or remain
Is CMR statute law, common law, or convention?
Convention
Plan:
Evaluate how far the concept of ministerial responsibility remains an important feature in UK government.
[Exam Q]
Intro - It remains important
P - Important - Clear position
E - 2018 - Boris Johnson
E - CMR - disagreed
A - Could have opposite effect
J - Important
P - Important - Accountability
E - Amber Rudd - Windrush
E - Hold department responsible
A - Don’t have to - Theresa May
J - Important
P - Important - Personal life
E - Matt Hancock - Social distance
E - Responsible for all actions
A - Expose private life - less trust
J - Important
Conc - Important - united gov’t
