Page 1: Understanding Individual and Collective Ministerial Responsibility

This page delves into the concepts of individual ministerial responsibility and collective ministerial responsibility, explaining their principles and importance in UK governance.

Individual Ministerial Responsibility

Individual ministerial responsibility is a fundamental doctrine in UK politics, where ministers are accountable for their department's actions and personal conduct.

Definition: Individual ministerial responsibility refers to the principle that each minister is individually responsible for matters affecting their department and their own performance and conduct.

The doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility includes four key principles:

1. Accountability to Parliament for departmental policies
2. Resignation required for serious errors of judgment
3. Responsibility for departmental errors, even if not directly involved
4. Adherence to standards of public office and ministerial code

Highlight: The importance of individual ministerial responsibility has declined in recent years, with fewer resignations for departmental errors.

Collective Ministerial Responsibility

Collective ministerial responsibility is a convention that requires all ministers to publicly support and defend official government policy.

Definition: Collective ministerial responsibility is a doctrine that mandates ministers to present a united front in supporting all government policies, regardless of personal views.

The doctrine of collective ministerial responsibility includes five key principles:

1. Collective responsibility for all government policies
2. Public support for policies, despite private disagreements
3. Resignation required for public dissent
4. Dismissal for dissenting without resigning
5. Concealment of dissent within government

Example: During Theresa May's Brexit negotiations (2017-2019), collective responsibility was informally suspended as Cabinet Ministers openly criticized her Brexit deal.

Importance of Collective Responsibility

Collective responsibility is crucial for several reasons:

1. It enhances prime ministerial power by preventing open dissent within government.
2. It presents a united front to the media, parliament, and the world.
3. It ensures government can rely on ministers' votes in the House of Commons (payroll vote).

Highlight: The prime minister can typically rely on about 120 votes in the House of Commons before any division, thanks to collective responsibility.

Suspensions of Collective Responsibility

Collective responsibility has been suspended in certain circumstances:

1. UK Coalition Government (2010-2015): Liberal Democrats and Conservatives agreed on common policies but allowed disagreement on specific issues like Trident renewal.
2. EU Referendum (June 2016): Conservative ministers were free to express views counter to the official government line.

Example: During the 2010-2015 coalition, ministers were allowed to publicly disagree on the Syrian civil war, an exception to collective responsibility.