Ministerial Responsibility

The Politics Association

Introduction Idea is central to the democratic

process. Provides citizens with notions of

accountability. Incompetence, or major errors of

judgement, ministers should resign.

Personal Responsibility Where the minister is responsible for

his/her personal conduct

Must obey the rule of law

Act in accordance

with an unwritten

‘moral’ codeMust obey the

rules and conventions of

Parliament

Follow rules of conduct for

business and financial dealings

Personal Responsibility

Must obey the rule of law

Must obey the rules and

conventions of Parliament

Act in accordance

with an unwritten

‘moral’ code

Follow rules of conduct for

business and financial dealings

Role Responsibility Where the minister is responsible for

4 key areas -Policy

leadership in Department

Piloting of legislation in Parliament

Managementof

Department

Represent departmental

interests

Problems with Ministerial Responsibility Not always seen to work. Problems (and the need for blame)

sometimes arrives after the ministers/civil servants have moved on or retired.

Ministers who keep the support of the PM are rarely threatened or challenged.

Problems with Ministerial Responsibility Case Study

Scott Report – 1996 Ministers condemned for their

conduct in the ‘Arms to Iraq’ affair. Ministers acted in secret/breach of

official policy. No ministers or civil servants sacked

or resigned – some promoted!

When should Ministers resign?

Research by Pyper (1992-)Five paths to resignation:1. Changes (reshuffles by PM)2. Electoral defeat of Minister3. ‘Personal’ reasons4. Issue of collective responsibility5. Issue of individual responsibility

Resignations – 7 cases Lord Carrington – 1982 Falklands War – should have seen it coming. RESIGNED

Edwina Currie – 1988 Said most eggs were poisoned. Resigned.

1993 – Michael Mates Dodgy gifts from Asian business

man RESIGNED

Tim Smith – 1994 Backhanders from Muhammed Al

Fayed RESIGNED

David Willets – 1996 Activities as Whip not in keeping

with his position. RESIGNED

Ron Davies – 1998 Cruising on Clapham Common RESIGNED

Estelle Morris – 2002 Shambles over A Levels RESIGNED

Stephen Byers Railways in chaos, advisers out of

control RESIGNED

David Blunkett – 2004 Nanny passport fast-tracked RESIGNED