The PM And The Executive- Collective Ministerial Responsibilty Flashcards
Collective ministerial responsibility (CMR)
is an unwritten convention of the constitution.
The principles of this constitutional convention (CMR) are:
+ All members of government are jointly responsible for all government policies.
+ Ministers should support all government policies in public even if they have private reservations.
+ Ministers who oppose a key element of government policy, and who are
not prepared to defend it in public, should resign.
+ Theresa May saw 17 ministers (four of whom were cabinet members, including Boris Johnson) resign over her Brexit strategy between July 2018 and April 2019.
+ If a minister dissents without resigning, they can expect to be dismissed by the prime minister.
Why is collective ministerial responsibility is important for the following reasons:
+ It projects a sense of government unity.
+ It can help the prime minister maintain their dominant position.
- It stifles dissidence within the government.
+ It helps ministers express their reservations privately.
+ It can protect individual ministers from pressure if the government takes collective responsibility for a policy.
Define collective ministerial responsibility
The convention that ministers must support government decisions in public, regardless of any private reservations. If they are unable to do so, then they should resign.
Examples of ministers who refused to take collective ministerial responsibility
Robin Cook
Iain Duncan Smith
Sajid Javid
Lady Sugg
Minister Robin Cook
Position:
Party:
Resignation year:
Reason for resignation
Foreign secretary
Labour
2003
Opposed the government’s decision to take part in an invasion of Iraq 🇮🇶
Minister Iain Duncan Smith
Position:
Party:
Resignation year:
Reason for resignation
Work and pensions secretary
Conservation
2016
Disagreed with proposed cuts to disability benefits
Minister Sajid Javid
Position:
Party:
Resignation year:
Reason for resignation
Chancellor
Conservative
2020
Refused to accept replacement of his advisors with those chosen by the PM
Minister Lady Sugg
Position:
Party:
Resignation year:
Reason for resignation
Junior Foreign Office Minister
Conservative
2020
Disagreed with ending the commitment to spend 0.7% of the UK’s budget on overseas aid
In recent years what has happened to the convention of collective ministerial responsibility?
come under strain, with ministers disagreeing with government policy but refusing to resign.
Reasons for the breakdown CMR
In a coalition, CMR only extends to those policies that the governing parties can agree upon.
A specific issue may divide the cabinet.
Referendums usually involve members of the cabinet campaigning on different sides of the argument.
A prime minister without sufficient authority may feel unable to dismiss ministers who are disloyal.
Personality clashes can force cabinet members to choose between two rival camps.
Example of
In a coalition, CMR only extends to those policies that the governing parties can agree upon.
During the coalition between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives (2010-15), CMR was abandoned for policies where there remained significant disagreement, such as on the renewal of the Trident nuclear missile system.
Example
A specific issue may divide the cabinet.
Divides over Brexit spilled out into the open during Theresa May’s tenure as prime minister. Several cabinet ministers criticised her for refusing to take a ‘no-deal’ Brexit off the table, while others called for a harder stance towards Europe.
Example of
Referendums usually involve members of the cabinet campaigning on different sides of the argument.
Five members of David Cameron’s cabinet campaigned to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum while the rest campaigned to remain.
Example of
A prime minister without sufficient authority may feel unable to dismiss ministers who are disloyal.
Theresa May’s failure to secure a majority at the 2017 general election diminished her standing. Cabinet members were said to be plotting her downfall’ from election night onwards, yet they faced no consequences.
