Minister of Everything

A Minister of Everything, sometimes also called Minister for Everything, refers to a Minister who wields great and wide-reaching power in the government, usually as the head of a powerful and influential ministry (often a "super ministry" combining two or more portfolios), but also can influence government machinery outside his direct control. The title is unofficial, and often assigned by the media or other political figures. Ministers who are seen as holding the title are often regarded as the second most powerful person in the government after the head of government, and often (but not always) this position is cemented by holding the official title of Deputy Prime Minister/Deputy Premier/Deputy First Minister etc. The term can also be used as a criticism of heads of government who take a more hands on approach in governing and give ministers less independence, or a head of government who hold additional powerful cabinet portfolios.

Examples

List of figures who have been considered of holding the title:

• C.D. Howe,^[1] Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, at various times served as Minister of Railways and Canals, Minister of Transport, Minister of Munitions and Supply, Minister of Reconstruction, Minister of Trade and Commerce.
• Walter Murray Gibson,^[2] Hawaiian Kingdom Prime Minister, also served as minister of foreign affairs and minister of war.
• John Prescott,^[3] United Kingdom, Labour Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
• John Swinney^[4] Scotland, Scottish National Party, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.
• Wendy Alexander, Scotland, Scottish Labour Party, Minister of Communities, and Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.
• Hazel Blears,^[5] United Kingdom, Labour Served as Labour Party Chair, Minister without Portfolio, and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
• Don Mazankowski,^[6] Canada, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, Deputy Prime Minister, served at various times as Minister of Transport, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Agriculture, Government House Leader, and Minister of Finance.
• George Smitherman^[7] Ontario, Ontario Liberal Party, Deputy Premier, served as Minister of Health and then Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
• John Manley^[8] Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, served as Minister of Industry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, and Deputy Prime Minister.
• Dean Barrow,^[9] Belize, United Democratic Party, Prime Minister of Belize, also Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of National Security.
• Shimon Peres,^[10] Israel, Labour Party and Kadima, has at times served as President of Israel, Prime Minister, Transportation Minister, Religious Services Minister, Internal Affairs Minister, Immigrant Absorption Minister, Defense Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Finance Minister, and Communications Minister.
• Russ Hinze,^[11] Australia, National Party, served as Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Local Government (1974-1987), Minister for Racing (1980-1987) & Minister for Police (1980-1982) in the government of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

References