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." COUNT 5
QSN1 For how long did Robert Walpole serve as prime minister? ANS1 twenty-one years QSN2 What party did Walpole belong to? ANS2 Whig QSN3 What concept took shape during Walpole's tenure as prime minister? ANS3 doctrine of cabinet solidarity QSN4 What would a minister have to do if he did not publicly support a cabinet policy? ANS4 resign QSN5 Who is another prime minister who reiterated the principles of cabinet solidarity? ANS5 Lord Melbourne