Why did Edmund Burke criticize George III’s choice of ministers?

Edmund Burke criticized George III for selecting ministers based on personal favoritism rather than public approbation through Parliament.12

In his pamphlet Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (1770), Burke argued that the king’s practice of choosing ministers on personal grounds violated the spirit of the constitution. He believed that such actions fostered instability and intrigue, specifically alleging that the king relied on a group of supporters acting "behind the curtain".21

To remedy this, Burke advocated for the development of party loyalty, defining a party as a body of men united on public principles. He argued that such groups should serve as a constitutional link between the monarch and Parliament, providing the consistency and strength necessary for effective administration.12