Synopsis: |
The Cabinet Manual sets out some important "rules of the game" on constitutional issues that are of public interest, such as when the sitting Prime Minister at a general election who is unlikely to command a majority in the Parliament just elected should tender his resignation. Cabinet Manual provides a source of information on the laws, conventions and procedures that affect the operation and procedures of the Government. The Committee says that well before the forthcoming election, the Cabinet Secretary should set out the Government's view of the constitutional principles that will underpin the continuance in office or otherwise of an administration following a general election. Revision of the Manual is important: a document which is not regularly updated to reflect relevant developments will lack authority. The Committee believes the Manual should be revised at least every Parliament, and especially on the arrival of a new administration. The Cabinet should publish, and keep updated, a list of matters which need to be amended when the Manual is nest revised, and should mark up the online version of the Manual at places where revisions are expected. |