In a parliamentary system of government, constitutional conventions govern executive accountability to the legislature. When a cabinet minister resigns from office following a major policy blunder or financial scandal within their specific government department, while the prime minister and the remaining cabinet continue in office, which constitutional convention is being demonstrated?
- Individual ministerial responsibilityAnswer
- BCollective ministerial responsibility
- CLegislative oversight through judicial review
- DCivil service anonymity and political neutrality
Answer
Individual ministerial responsibility is the constitutional convention where a minister accepts personal liability for failures within their administrative purview and resigns while the rest of the government remains intact.
Under the parliamentary convention of individual ministerial responsibility, political ministers take ultimate responsibility for all actions and errors within their specific ministry. When a major failure occurs, the minister resigns individually, satisfying parliamentary accountability without bringing down the government.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Individual Ministerial Responsibility in Parliamentary Systems