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Cabinet collective responsibility rules need review, says ex-Tory minister Cabinet collective responsibility rules need review, says ex-Tory minister
(1 day later)
One of David Cameron's former cabinet members has called for a fresh look at the rules of collective responsibility that she claims prevents ministers from speaking their minds, arguing it could help humanise politics.One of David Cameron's former cabinet members has called for a fresh look at the rules of collective responsibility that she claims prevents ministers from speaking their minds, arguing it could help humanise politics.
Cheryl Gillan, who was Welsh secretary under the coalition, urged the government to reconsider the rules as part of its new recall bill, which will allow voters to unseat errant MPs in the worst circumstances.Cheryl Gillan, who was Welsh secretary under the coalition, urged the government to reconsider the rules as part of its new recall bill, which will allow voters to unseat errant MPs in the worst circumstances.
Collective responsibility means all cabinet ministers – Tory and Lib Dem in the coalition – have to toe the party line and not diverge from the message of the government.Collective responsibility means all cabinet ministers – Tory and Lib Dem in the coalition – have to toe the party line and not diverge from the message of the government.
Gillan acknowledged it was a "very difficult issue" as governments do need discipline, but she said voters would give ministers credit for speaking their minds and not "acting like sheep".Gillan acknowledged it was a "very difficult issue" as governments do need discipline, but she said voters would give ministers credit for speaking their minds and not "acting like sheep".
The MP for Amersham, who was gagged from publicly opposing HS2 while in government, said there should be exceptions and more leeway than under the the current system, especially for ministers speaking out about issues that affect their constituents. The MP for Chesham and Amersham, who was gagged from publicly opposing HS2 while in government, said there should be exceptions and more leeway than under the the current system, especially for ministers speaking out about issues that affect their constituents.
"There is an opportunity for it to be looked at in the recall bill … If we're trying to humanise politics, we don't want to shackle our MPs," she told the Guardian. "We're representatives and we're here for our views.""There is an opportunity for it to be looked at in the recall bill … If we're trying to humanise politics, we don't want to shackle our MPs," she told the Guardian. "We're representatives and we're here for our views."
Gillan's comments come at a time of anxiety among the major parties over the rise of support for Ukip, whose leader Nigel Farage has a reputation for plain-speaking. The party has also said it does not support whipping its elected representatives and allows them to vote as they please on local councils and in the European parliament.Gillan's comments come at a time of anxiety among the major parties over the rise of support for Ukip, whose leader Nigel Farage has a reputation for plain-speaking. The party has also said it does not support whipping its elected representatives and allows them to vote as they please on local councils and in the European parliament.
David Cameron is preparing to shake up his top team in a reshuffle, a process often used to demote those who have spoken out of turn. Despite the unusual breakdown in collective responsibility between home secretary Theresa May and education secretary Michael Gove in a row over Islamic extremism in schools this week, both are likely to remain in posts. Those who could be moved out of cabinet roles include Ken Clarke, minister without portfolio, Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, and Andrew Lansley, leader of the house, who is tipped to be Britain's next EU commissioner. Nicky Morgan, the women's minister, and Liz Truss, an education minister, are possibles for promotion. There is also speculation Grant Shapps, the Tory chairman, could be replaced by a grandee such as Eric Pickles, the communities secretary. Sources said the reshuffle is unlikely to be this week but could come early next week.David Cameron is preparing to shake up his top team in a reshuffle, a process often used to demote those who have spoken out of turn. Despite the unusual breakdown in collective responsibility between home secretary Theresa May and education secretary Michael Gove in a row over Islamic extremism in schools this week, both are likely to remain in posts. Those who could be moved out of cabinet roles include Ken Clarke, minister without portfolio, Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, and Andrew Lansley, leader of the house, who is tipped to be Britain's next EU commissioner. Nicky Morgan, the women's minister, and Liz Truss, an education minister, are possibles for promotion. There is also speculation Grant Shapps, the Tory chairman, could be replaced by a grandee such as Eric Pickles, the communities secretary. Sources said the reshuffle is unlikely to be this week but could come early next week.
The coalition's recall bill has in part been introduced to help address public distrust of politicians in the wake of the expenses scandal of 2009.The coalition's recall bill has in part been introduced to help address public distrust of politicians in the wake of the expenses scandal of 2009.
However, the bill has been attacked by supporters of recall for being too weak to be effective. It is likely MPs will propose amendments to make it easier to get rid of underperforming colleagues and other proposals for constitutional reforms, which the coalition has struggled to agree over the last four years.However, the bill has been attacked by supporters of recall for being too weak to be effective. It is likely MPs will propose amendments to make it easier to get rid of underperforming colleagues and other proposals for constitutional reforms, which the coalition has struggled to agree over the last four years.
The proposed legislation will say a recall can be triggered if an MP receives a jail sentence. Alternatively the House of Commons – probably in the shape of the standards committee – could decide an MP should face a recall petition for misconduct. The recall petition would then trigger a byelection if signed by at least 10% of voters in a constituency. Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative MP for Richmond, said the plans were an attempt to "dupe" voters because a committee in parliament would have an effective veto.The proposed legislation will say a recall can be triggered if an MP receives a jail sentence. Alternatively the House of Commons – probably in the shape of the standards committee – could decide an MP should face a recall petition for misconduct. The recall petition would then trigger a byelection if signed by at least 10% of voters in a constituency. Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative MP for Richmond, said the plans were an attempt to "dupe" voters because a committee in parliament would have an effective veto.
He said an MP could refuse to go to parliament or go on holiday to Barbados for a year, and still not be subject to recall.He said an MP could refuse to go to parliament or go on holiday to Barbados for a year, and still not be subject to recall.
• This article was amended on 9 June 2014 to give the full name of Cheryl Gillan's constituency as Chesham and Amersham.