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THE POWER TO DISSOLVE, IT IS MAINTAINED, CONSTITUTES AN IMPORTANT WEAPON IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S ARMORY, CAPABLE OF DEPLOYMENT IN AT LEAST THREE TARGET AREAS: IT ITS A POTENTIAL SANCTION AGAINST DISSIDENTS WITHIN HIS PARLIAMENTARY PARTY; IT ENHANCES HIS PRESTIGE VIS-A-VIS HIS CABINET COLLEAGUES; AND IT SECURES FOR HIM AND HIS PARTY AN ELECTORAL ADVANTAGE OVER OPPOSITION PARTIES.

First Published in 1967 the Tactics of Resignation examines the principles of collective and individual ministerial responsibility and investigates the parallel problems related to the shadow cabinet in Britain. It raises pertinent questions like: why do so many hold their peace and support policies of which they privately disapprove? Loss of confidence in the House of Commons should involve individual resignation. How have so many ministers been able to hang on in the face of adverse criticism or apparent inefficiency? This book is a valuable addition to understand the difference between traditional principles and actual British government. It is an interesting read for students of British government and politics.

Ministerial reshuffles are complex exercises requiring careful handling. A frequent occurrence in British government, their significance is usually seen in political terms. Prime Ministers attach great importance to maximizing the political advantages to be gained from them. This factor is the chief determinant of their logistics, the principal characteristics of which are secrecy in advance and the speed with which ministerial changes are executed. These features ‐ as much as the frequency of ministerial changes per se ‐ may disrupt the policy process and have serious implications for minister‐civil servant power relations. Such problems could be alleviated by giving ministers advance notice of changes of post. The institution of a process of ministerial handovers would strengthen the position of incoming ministers by making them less dependent on their officials, upon whom they rely heavily for initial briefing at present.

Factors in prime ministerial judgment which influence cabinet alterations, such as length of ministerial tenure, general elections, and the administrative impact.