List of office-holders of the United Kingdom and predecessor states facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The United Kingdom is a country with a long history, and many different people have held important jobs in its government. This article will tell you about some of the main leaders and officials who have helped run the UK and the countries that came before it.

Heads of State

The Head of State is the highest-ranking person in a country. In the United Kingdom, the Head of State is the monarch (the King or Queen). This role is mostly ceremonial today, meaning the monarch represents the country but doesn't usually make political decisions.

Over time, different monarchs have ruled various parts of what is now the UK:

Heads of Government

The Head of Government is the person who leads the government and makes important decisions about how the country is run. In the UK, this role is held by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has been the main leader of the government since 1721.
- You can find a full list of all the Prime Ministers here: List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom.

Government Ministers

Ministers are important people chosen by the Prime Minister to lead different parts of the government, called departments. Each department focuses on a specific area, like money, education, or defence.

Here are some of the key ministerial roles:

Chancellor of the Exchequer: This minister is in charge of the country's money, taxes, and economy. This role has existed since 1559.
Home Secretary: This minister is responsible for law and order, policing, and immigration within the UK. This role started in 1782.
Foreign Secretary: This minister handles the UK's relationships with other countries around the world. This role began in 1968, combining earlier foreign affairs roles.
Defence Secretary: This minister is responsible for the UK's armed forces and national security. This role was created in 1964.
Secretary of State for Education: This minister oversees schools, colleges, and universities. This role has been around in different forms since 1902.
Secretary of State for Transport: This minister is in charge of roads, railways, airports, and other transport systems. This role has existed since 1924.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: This minister looks after arts, sports, media, and heritage. This role started in 1992.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: This minister deals with protecting the environment, farming, and food. This role began in 2001.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: This minister is responsible for welfare benefits and helping people find jobs. This role has been active since 1970.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: This minister represents the UK government in Northern Ireland. This role started in 1972.
Secretary of State for Scotland: This minister represents the UK government in Scotland. This role began in 1926.
Secretary of State for Wales: This minister represents the UK government in Wales. This role started in 1964.

Parliament Office-holders

The Parliament is where laws are made. It has two main parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Leader of the House of Commons: This person manages the government's business in the House of Commons. This role has existed since 1721.
Members of Parliament (MPs): These are people elected by the public to represent them in the House of Commons.
Members of the House of Lords: These are people who are not elected but play a role in reviewing and shaping laws.

State Office-holders

These are important people who hold special positions, often with historical or ceremonial duties.

Great Officers of State

These are very old and important roles, some of which are mostly ceremonial today:

Legal Officers

These are the top lawyers who advise the government and represent the Crown (the King or Queen) in legal matters.

Attorney General for England and Wales
Solicitor General for England and Wales
Lord Advocate: The chief legal officer for Scotland.
Solicitor General for Scotland: The deputy legal officer for Scotland.
Advocate General for Scotland: Advises the UK government on Scottish law.
Counsel General for Wales: The chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government.
Attorney General for Northern Ireland

Court Office-holders

These are the most senior judges in the UK's legal system.

Lord Chief Justice: The head of the judiciary in England and Wales.
Master of the Rolls: A senior judge who heads the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales.
Lord Justice General: The head of the judiciary in Scotland.
Lord Justice Clerk: The second most senior judge in Scotland.
Lords Justice of Appeal of England and Wales: Senior judges in the Court of Appeal.
Lords Justice of Appeal of Northern Ireland: Senior judges in the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland.

Heads of Devolved Governments

The UK has devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This means they have their own parliaments or assemblies and can make decisions on certain matters, like education and health, for their regions.

Northern Ireland

Prime Minister of Northern Ireland: This role existed from 1922 to 1972.
First Minister and Deputy First Minister: These are the joint heads of the Northern Ireland Executive, leading the government there since 1998 (with some breaks).
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly: People elected to the assembly that makes laws for Northern Ireland.

Scotland

First Minister of Scotland: The leader of the Scottish Government.
Members of the Scottish Parliament: People elected to the Scottish Parliament, which makes laws for Scotland.

Wales

First Minister for Wales: The leader of the Welsh Government.
Members of the Senedd: People elected to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), which makes laws for Wales.

Heads of Colonies and Overseas Territories

The UK also has Crown Dependencies (like the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and Overseas Territories (like Gibraltar and Bermuda). These places have their own governments, but the UK is responsible for their defence and foreign affairs.

Crown Dependencies

These are islands that are not part of the UK but are self-governing possessions of the Crown.

Isle of Man

Lord of Mann: The monarch of the Isle of Man.
Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man: The monarch's representative on the island.

Channel Islands

Guernsey: Bailiffs of Guernsey (the chief civil officers).
Jersey: Bailiffs of Jersey (the chief civil officers).
Sark: Seigneurs of Sark (the feudal lord of the island).

Overseas Territories

These territories are under the sovereignty of the UK but do not form part of the UK itself.

Anguilla

Governors of Anguilla

Bermuda

Governors of Bermuda

British Virgin Islands

Governors of the British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Governors of the Cayman Islands

Falkland Islands

Governors of the Falkland Islands

Gibraltar

Governors of Gibraltar
Chief Ministers of Gibraltar

Montserrat

Governors of Montserrat

Pitcairn Islands

Rulers of the Pitcairn Islands

Saint Helena

Governors of Saint Helena

Turks and Caicos Islands

Governors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Nobility

The nobility refers to people who hold special titles, often inherited, like Duke or Prince.

Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Norfolk
Prince of Wales: A title traditionally given to the heir to the British throne.
Duke of York: Another traditional royal title.

Mayors

Heads of London Government: These are the leaders of London's local government.
- Lord Mayors of London: A ceremonial head of the City of London.

Heads of Former States

Before the United Kingdom was formed, many different kingdoms and regions existed in Britain. Here are some of their past leaders:

Roman Governors of Britannia: Leaders when Britain was part of the Roman Empire.
Bretwalda: A title given to some Anglo-Saxon kings who had power over other English kingdoms.
Kings of Mercia: Rulers of a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
Kings of Northumbria: Rulers of another important Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
Kings of Wessex: Kings from this kingdom eventually united England.
Kings of the Picts: Rulers of the Pictish people in what is now Scotland.
Rulers of Wales: Various princes and kings ruled different parts of Wales.
Kings of the Isle of Man and the Isles: Rulers of the Isle of Man and some Scottish islands.