In 1717, the British Cabinet system of government - elected ministers led by a prime minister meeting separately from the monarch's presence - became a regular practice. What historic possibilities might have caused King George I to permit this?

skatharaki

The most well known-common reason was that although George I (1714–1727) attended Cabinet meetings at first, after 1717 he withdrew because he did not speak English and was bored with the discussions but ..but..John John Pitcairn Mackintosh (24 August 1929 – 30 July 1978) a British Labour Party politician among other writers and scholars gives a more convincing reason... as he says in his book: "The old explanation that George inability to speak led to withdrawal has been abandoned since the problem of communication could evidently overcome for the best part of 3 years after George's accession. The chief reason was that George's personality altered the situation. He was both ignorant of English affairs and....stupid! He could never be at ease presiding over a wide ranging discussion among twelve Cabinet ministers. Like many stupid men he was suspicious and preferred to lean on his German advisers and mistresses and perhaps one or two Englishmen. The politicians from their part preferred to consult with the King in private and not with the cabinet where misunderstandings and animosities could easily arise and flourish.." One of the darkest moments of the British monarchy but a very interesting story. http://books.google.com/books?id=hMgOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=1717,+the+British+Cabinet&source=bl&ots=tVgvj_j0Lb&sig=th-OBj2kuTyCwv6MCKrpOHnOEOE&hl=el&ei=35KoTfDtKZS0hAfa6sDYCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=1717%2C%20the%20British%20Cabinet&f=false http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom Apr 15 11, 1:10 PM

star_gazer

Very good skatharaki! Another possible reason is that George I hated his son the Prince of Wales. If the king had been attending Cabinet meetings his son could have presided as regent in George I's absence. http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/archive/index.php/t-66516.html Apr 15 11, 2:00 PM

Baloo55th

Agreed. I forgot to come back to that one. George III got regented during his periods of incapacity, but not Geo I for anything. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent for a list of regencies in UK and its parts. Apr 21 11, 2:15 PM