What principle does collective responsibility emphasize for ministers in the cabinet?

Collective responsibility is a key principle in the cabinet system of government, emphasizing that all ministers must publicly support and defend the decisions made by the cabinet, irrespective of their personal views or disagreements. This means that once a decision is reached collectively, all ministers are expected to present a united front and uphold the agreed policies when speaking to the public or in Parliament.

This principle fosters a sense of solidarity among cabinet members and ensures that the government presents a coherent and consistent message, which is crucial for maintaining public trust and political stability. If ministers were to openly disagree with cabinet decisions, it could lead to confusion and undermine the authority of the government, as well as reduce the effectiveness of policy implementation.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of government accountability and transparency. Individual accountability, for instance, refers to ministers being responsible for the specific actions and failures of their own departments rather than the collective stance of the cabinet. The ability to veto government decisions is not a central tenet of collective responsibility, and public transparency, while important, does not encapsulate the essence of cabinet solidarity and support for collective decisions.