Collective Responsibility in Government

A set of vocabulary flashcards focused on the key concepts of collective responsibility in government as discussed in the lecture.

Collective Responsibility

The convention that all government ministers are collectively responsible for the policies approved by cabinet.

Individual Ministerial Responsibility

The principle that ministers are individually responsible for their own actions and those of their departments.

Confidence Principle

The government must retain the confidence of the House of Commons to remain in office.

Motion of No Confidence

A parliamentary motion that can remove a government if it loses the confidence of MPs.

Cabinet Meetings

Secret meetings where ministers discuss and make decisions on government policies.

Free Votes

Votes in Parliament where MPs can vote according to their conscience rather than party lines.

Agreements to Differ

Formal suspensions of collective responsibility allowing ministers to publicly dissent from the cabinet's position.

Ministerial Code

A guide outlining the standards expected of ministers in relation to collective responsibility.

Sofa Government

A style of governance where decisions are made in informal settings rather than through formal cabinet meetings.

Leaking Information

The act of disclosing confidential cabinet discussions to the media or public, often undermining collective responsibility.