9-PM and Executive

Individual Ministerial Responsibility

Each minister is accountable for the actions and performance of their own department as well as their personal life; if they fail, they should take responsibility and resign.

Collective Ministerial Responsibility

A constitutional convention whereby all ministers are jointly responsible for government decisions and must present a united front; if they disagree, they must resign.

Chris Pincher (IMR example)

Resigned after drunkenly groping two men in July 2022; Boris Johnson’s backing of him arguably hastened his own resignation.

Suella Braverman (IMR example)

Resigned in October 2022 after sharing secure information from a private email.

Gavin Williamson (IMR example)

Resigned in November 2022 over bullying allegations.

Amber Rudd (IMR example)

Resigned as Home Secretary in 2018 after misleading a committee about deportation targets.

Liam Fox (IMR example)

Resigned after taking a close friend on 18 foreign business trips despite no official role.

Louise Haigh (IMR example)

Resigned due to a previous conviction, the first cabinet resignation for Labour (2024).

Tulip Siddiq (IMR example)

Resigned in January 2025 over pressure from an anti-corruption investigation, though no evidence supported it.

Andrew Gwynne (IMR example)

Resigned in 2025 after bullying accusations and offensive Whatsapp messages.

Boris Johnson Resignations (CMR example)

10 ministers, including Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, resigned over partygate in 2022, leading to Johnson’s resignation.

David Davis (CMR example)

Resigned in 2018 over May’s EU deal as he disagreed with the government’s direction.

Robin Cook (CMR example)

Resigned in 2003 from Blair’s cabinet over opposition to the Iraq War.

Brexit Deal Defiance (CMR example)

13 government ministers disobeyed the whip by debating a motion against a no-deal Brexit.

Anneliese Dodds (CMR example)

Resigned in 2025 from Starmer’s cabinet over a decrease in foreign aid spending.

Theresa May & Boris Johnson (CMR insignificance)

Did not sack Johnson for frequent policy criticisms due to his popularity, undermining collective responsibility.

Patronage (PM power)

PM can appoint allies to key positions—e.g., Johnson appointed Dominic Cummings in 2019; Thatcher appointed 'dry' Tories; Blair appointed Brown as Chancellor.

Cabinet Reshuffle (PM power)

E.g., Sunak reshuffled in Nov 2023: sacked Suella Braverman, appointed James Cleverly and Lord Cameron.

Sofa Cabinet (PM power)

PM may bypass full cabinet—Blair often used informal "sofa government" style.

Committee Control (PM power)

All cabinet committees except parliamentary affairs and accommodation are chaired by the PM.

Harold Macmillan (PM power)

Postponed cabinet discussion on resignation by leaving it off the agenda.

Harold Wilson (PM power)

Refused to discuss devaluation between 1964–67 in cabinet.

Blair and Brown (PM power)

Transferred control of interest rates to Bank of England without consulting cabinet.

Rishi Sunak (cabinet limits PM)

Backtracked on restricting graduate visas in 2024 after opposition from cabinet members.

Liz Truss & Mini Budget

In Sept 2022, Truss's economic plans led to financial instability and backlash from markets.

Lords Dannatt (HOL influence)

Former Chief of General Staff and crossbencher; used military expertise to campaign for UK troop redeployment to Iraq (2015–16).