ABSTRACT
This system is fissiparous. The predominant forces within it encourage its divisions and seem likely to continue doing so. Workload and ambition press ministers to entrench themselves in their departments, putting pressure on the wider concept of collective responsibility. The Cabinet fractures into different policy spheres, devolving functions to committees and ad hoc groups, and diluting its own role. Momentary convenience encourages the use of ad hoc groups. The sense of joint responsibility and collegiality often comes under heavy pressure, although it is far from dead. In this more disparate system, emphasis falls increasingly on the Prime Minister to hold things together. Although his relationship with ministers remains essentially one of mutual dependence, his policy role is considerable: continuous and vital in economics and foreign affairs, more selective but still important in other spheres. In contrast, the Cabinet has always had limited influence in foreign and economic spheres and, while domestic issues have traditionally taken up the bulk of its time and energies, the onus for decision in this sphere has passed to committees and other smaller gatherings.
