Collective responsibility Quote by David Lidington
“Cabinet government rests on the principle of collective responsibility: Ministers debate and argue in private but then hammer out a common policy which they all agree to support.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Cabinet and Collective Responsibility, 2014
Ministers discuss policy privately, then present a unified front publicly.
In simple terms: Private debate leads to public unity.
Key Takeaway
Support collective decisions after discussion.
Themes
politics
collaboration
responsibility
Mood
analytical
neutral
Type
explanatory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parliamentary sessions
- policy drafting
- crisis management
Key Concepts
government
decision‑making
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does private debate shape policy?
- When should dissent be voiced?
A Different Perspective
Public may view unanimity as suppressing dissent.
