twenty-one years Whig doctrine of cabinet solidarity resign Lord Melbourne
For how long did Robert Walpole serve as prime minister? What party did Walpole belong to? What concept took shape during Walpole's tenure as prime minister? What would a minister have to do if he did not publicly support a cabinet policy? Who is another prime minister who reiterated the principles of cabinet solidarity?
From 1721 this was the Whig politician Robert Walpole, who held office for twenty-one years. Walpole chaired cabinet meetings, appointed all the other ministers, dispensed the royal patronage and packed the House of Commons with his supporters. Under Walpole, the doctrine of cabinet solidarity developed. Walpole required that no minister other than himself have private dealings with the king, and also that when the cabinet had agreed on a policy, all ministers must defend it in public, or resign. As a later prime minister, Lord Melbourne, said, "It matters not what we say, gentlemen, so long as we all say the same thing."
question: For how long did Robert Walpole serve as prime minister?, answer: twenty-one years | question: What party did Walpole belong to?, answer: Whig | question: What concept took shape during Walpole's tenure as prime minister?, answer: doctrine of cabinet solidarity | question: What would a minister have to do if he did not publicly support a cabinet policy?, answer: resign | question: Who is another prime minister who reiterated the principles of cabinet solidarity?, answer: Lord Melbourne