Downing Street Says » Ministers-collective responsibility

It was put to the Leader that recent statements and actions by Ministers had called into question the doctrine of collective Cabinet responsibility and implied that they could say what they liked.

Mr Straw said he did not accept the suggestion for a second. Collective Cabinet responsibility still applied and he referred to an interview in the New Statesman with the Northern Ireland Secretary who, he said, had noted that point specifically in respect of Iraq. Commenting on actions by some Ministers in relation to local National Health Service decisions, Mr Straw said that all Ministers had two jobs – one of which was to represent their constituents. That had to be done in a manner which was compatible with Ministerial responsibilities, which they did. All were entitled to make representations to Ministers on behalf of constituents.

The Leader then repeated what he had said during Business Questions earlier in response to a specific question about the Northern Ireland Secretary’s reported comments: "One of the things that one learns as Foreign Secretary – indeed, it is perfectly obvious even before one reaches that august office – is that one cannot pick and choose whom people elect to foreign Governments. We have to accept foreign Governments as they are, and work with them constructively. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear – it is a position backed by the whole Labour party – our alliance with the United States and our union with Europe are the twin pillars of our successful foreign policy and relationships abroad."

Pressed on Mr Hain’s remarks, the Leader declined to expand on his response in the House, which he said had articulated the Government’s position.

He was asked why the Prime Minister and Ministers now appeared to be shy about standing in front of the cameras with members of the US Administration. Mr Straw said there was no question of secrecy. He understood that there would be a photographic facility for the visit of Condoleezza Rice. He recalled that, during his period as Foreign Secretary, there were occasions when, for perfectly good reasons, it had been better for discussions to take place privately.

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» Thursday, January 18, 2007

Ministers-collective responsibility

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