Ministerial responsibility
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Transcript of Ministerial responsibility
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