It is evident that no arrangement could possibly be more inconsistent with every principle of the constitution.

The very foundation of parliamentary government is, that every officer of every department is responsible to Parliament for the proper discharge of his duties.

But the investiture of the sovereign with ministerial office of any kind must involve either the entire withdrawal of that department from parliamentary control, or the exposure of the sovereign to constant criticism, which, however essential to the efficiency of the department, and consequently to the public service, would be wholly inconsistent with the respect due to the crown.

The first alternative it is certain that no Parliament would endure for a moment; the second, by impairing the dignity of the monarch, could scarcely fail in some degree to threaten the stability of the monarchy itself.
Canning's ministry was too brief to give time for any transaction of internal importance.

That of Lord Goderich, who succeeded him, though longer by the almanac, was practically briefer still, since it never met Parliament at all, but was formed and fell to pieces between the prorogation and the next meeting of the Houses.