‘Evaluate the view that the conventions of individual ministerial responsi-
bility and collective ministerial responsibility are both still important’ 30
marker
Intro: both individual and collective ministerial responsibility are conven-
tions that are written down in the ministerial code, which is published by
the pm at the start of each administration to make clear the expectations
of gov ministers
Para 1: against ( arguments that collective ministerial responsibility
doesn’t remain important)
Point 1- Collective ministerial responsibility is a convention that is in-
cluded in the ministerial code and applies to all ministers. It is intended
to promote gov unity in the face of opposition and means that the gov as
a whole is responsible to parliament for its decisions — it holds that min-
isters can privately disagree in cabinet meetings, but the discussions in
these meetings are kept secret and ministers must support and defend
all of the gov’s policies in public and in the media.
• During the Blair years, collective ministerial responsibility was shown
to not be important. There was a huge split between in Blair’s cabinet
between Blair and brown. Their disagreements were often very public
and their supporters were keen to leak details of the disagreements
but there was never any suggestion of resignation or sackings.
Which shows collective ministerial responsibility is not important as an-
other key aspect of it is that a minister must resign from the gov before
publicly criticising gov policy. If a minister criticises gov policy without re-
signing then the prime minister should force them to resign to uphold
their responsibility that they’ve published at the start of their administra-
tion but this wasn’t upheld with Blair and Browns situation.
Point 2- Collective ministerial responsibility has also been shown to break
down to a significant extent when pm are weak and the governing party
is ideologically with ministers able to leak their dissatisfaction, brief
against the gov and even vote against the gov without resigning or being
sacked by the pm
• This was shown when BJ, Theresa foreign secretary constantly leaked
his dissatisfaction with gov policy and briefed against may including
writing critical weekly articles in the daily telegraph. Yet due to his
popularity within the conservative-arty, she wasn’t able to sack him.
Para 2: for (the collective ministerial responsibility remains important)
Point 1- on the other hand it can be argued that still remains important
the vast majority of the time especially when pm are stronger — there
are number of examples of ministers resigning having broken the minis-
terial code in relation to their personal conduct, showing the importance
of ministerial responsibility.
bility and collective ministerial responsibility are both still important’ 30
marker
Intro: both individual and collective ministerial responsibility are conven-
tions that are written down in the ministerial code, which is published by
the pm at the start of each administration to make clear the expectations
of gov ministers
Para 1: against ( arguments that collective ministerial responsibility
doesn’t remain important)
Point 1- Collective ministerial responsibility is a convention that is in-
cluded in the ministerial code and applies to all ministers. It is intended
to promote gov unity in the face of opposition and means that the gov as
a whole is responsible to parliament for its decisions — it holds that min-
isters can privately disagree in cabinet meetings, but the discussions in
these meetings are kept secret and ministers must support and defend
all of the gov’s policies in public and in the media.
• During the Blair years, collective ministerial responsibility was shown
to not be important. There was a huge split between in Blair’s cabinet
between Blair and brown. Their disagreements were often very public
and their supporters were keen to leak details of the disagreements
but there was never any suggestion of resignation or sackings.
Which shows collective ministerial responsibility is not important as an-
other key aspect of it is that a minister must resign from the gov before
publicly criticising gov policy. If a minister criticises gov policy without re-
signing then the prime minister should force them to resign to uphold
their responsibility that they’ve published at the start of their administra-
tion but this wasn’t upheld with Blair and Browns situation.
Point 2- Collective ministerial responsibility has also been shown to break
down to a significant extent when pm are weak and the governing party
is ideologically with ministers able to leak their dissatisfaction, brief
against the gov and even vote against the gov without resigning or being
sacked by the pm
• This was shown when BJ, Theresa foreign secretary constantly leaked
his dissatisfaction with gov policy and briefed against may including
writing critical weekly articles in the daily telegraph. Yet due to his
popularity within the conservative-arty, she wasn’t able to sack him.
Para 2: for (the collective ministerial responsibility remains important)
Point 1- on the other hand it can be argued that still remains important
the vast majority of the time especially when pm are stronger — there
are number of examples of ministers resigning having broken the minis-
terial code in relation to their personal conduct, showing the importance
of ministerial responsibility.
