Individual Ministerial Responsibility

Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 10.2.1

Ministerial responsibility is the principle by which ministers are held to account for their actions.

Ministers are either cabinet ministers, who are the heads of the major government departments, or junior ministers who work in an area of a government department under the cabinet minister.

Individual ministerial responsibility holds ministers responsible for their actions and their department’s actions.
Ministers are responsible for the performance of their department and are expected to resign if there are major failings in the department’s work or conduct.
Individual ministerial responsibility states that ministers must be competent, and are expected to resign if their work is not competent.
Ministers must take personal responsibility for their personal lives and behave appropriately.

Amber Rudd, the previous home secretary, resigned in 2018 after she misled the Home Affairs Select Committee over her department’s targets for deporting illegal immigrants.
Liam Fox resigned in 2011 as Defence Secretary after he had brought Adam Werrity, a close friend, along to 18 foreign business trips despite him having no official role.

Individual ministerial responsibility means that a strong standard of behaviour is maintained by government officials who are at the top of public life.
Individual ministerial responsibility holds the government accountable for their behaviour to the public.
Sir Gavin Williamson resigned as Defence Secretary in 2019 after a National Security Council leak inquiry.

Individual ministerial responsibility fails when ministers choose not to resign and blame others in their department for failings.
Theresa May did not resign in 2011 over border control failures, instead criticism focused on UK Border Force officials.
In 2023, Home Secretary Suella Braverman was criticised over departmental handling issues, but remained in office until a later reshuffle.

Test yourself on Individual Ministerial Responsibility

When should ministers resign under Individual Ministerial Responsibility?
What is NOT an example of when a minister should resign according to individual ministerial responsibility?