What is the concept of collective responsibility in the UK government?

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What is the concept of collective responsibility in the UK government?

Collective responsibility means ministers must publicly back the government’s policy. If a minister cannot do that, they should resign or be dismissed so the cabinet presents a united front and the government speaks with one voice. This keeps policy coherent in Parliament and supports the Prime Minister’s authority. The idea mainly binds ministers in the cabinet; backbench MPs may vote differently without the same expectation of resignation.

Collective responsibility means ministers must publicly back the government’s policy. If a minister cannot do that, they should resign or be dismissed so the cabinet presents a united front and the government speaks with one voice. This keeps policy coherent in Parliament and supports the Prime Minister’s authority. The idea mainly binds ministers in the cabinet; backbench MPs may vote differently without the same expectation of resignation.

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