Remedies
Appointment of Ministers

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Remedies - Appointment of Ministers

The Prime Minister's sole right to appoint and sack Secretaries of State and ministers is one the principal sources of his excessive power. The Prime Minister needs to be able to pick a team he can work with, but in order to restore his position of 'first among equals', his choices should be approved by the House of Commons at least.

This requirement is of course only meaningful in the context of a proportional system of voting.

It may be that this change needs to be accompanied by legislation giving the Prime Minister certain formal powers.

The House of Commons ought also take the power to sack underperforming or duplicitous ministers.

This was not one of Charter 88's demands, but is for example Green Party policy, and we think also Liberal Democrat policy.

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Page Last Updated 11 March 2008.