Political accountability & Collective Ministerial Responsibility Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is ministerial responsibility?
A constitutional convention requiring ministers to be accountable to Parliament for government policy and departmental actions.
What are the two types of ministerial responsibility?
Collective (Cabinet as a whole) and individual (each minister for their own department/actions).
Is ministerial responsibility legally enforceable?
No, it is a constitutional convention, not law.
What are the three limbs of collective ministerial responsibility?
Confidence, Unanimity, and Confidentiality.
What does the confidence limb require?
The government must retain the support of the House of Commons or resign if defeated in a no-confidence vote.
Give an example of a no-confidence motion resulting in resignation.
1979 – Callaghan’s Labour Government lost a confidence vote and resigned.
What does the unanimity principle require of ministers?
They must publicly support all Cabinet decisions or resign if they cannot.
Give an example of resignation under the unanimity principle.
Boris Johnson & David Davis (2018) – resigned over Brexit disagreement.
What is the purpose of Cabinet confidentiality?
To preserve unity, trust, and prevent leaks that could destabilise government.
What was the ruling in AG v Jonathan Cape Ltd (1975)?
Cabinet discussions are protected by a common law duty of confidentiality, which may expire after 10 years.
Why does collective responsibility matter?
It maintains unity, enables accountability, and allows for effective scrutiny—despite being based on convention, not law.
