Cabinet

A body of ministers whose function under the UK constitution is to formulate government policy and to carry it into effect (particularly by the initiation of legislation). It owes its existence to *constitutional convention, not law, and consists of the Prime Minister and senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet is bound by the convention of collective responsibility, i.e. all members should fully support Cabinet decisions; a member who disagrees with a decision must resign. If the government loses a vote of confidence or suffers any other major defeat in the House of Commons, the whole Cabinet must resign.