Prime Minister of the United Kingdom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
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| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Reports to | |
| Residence |
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| Appointer | The Monarch
(with their choice limited to the person who can command the confidence of the House of Commons)
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| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| First holder | Sir Robert Walpole |
| Deputy | No fixed position; often held by: |
| Salary | £166,786 per annum (2024) (including £91,346 MP salary) |
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the main leader of the UK government. Think of them as the captain of the country's team! They help the King or Queen make important decisions. They also lead a group of top ministers called the Cabinet, and choose who gets to be a minister. To be Prime Minister, a person must have the strong support of most members in the House of Commons, which is a part of Parliament. This means they are almost always a Member of Parliament themselves.
The job of Prime Minister isn't written down in one big rulebook. Instead, it grew over many years through traditions and customs. The King or Queen chooses the Prime Minister. However, they must pick someone who has the strong support of the House of Commons. This usually means the leader of the political party with the most seats. The Prime Minister also holds other important titles, like the First Lord of the Treasury and the Minister for the Civil Service. They are also in charge of national security and the Minister for the Union. Their official home and office is at 10 Downing Street in London.
Long ago, the Prime Minister was seen as just 'first among equals' among other ministers. But over time, this changed. Today, the Prime Minister is much more important. Their power comes from the support of their political party and the people who voted for them. They choose other cabinet ministers and suggest new laws. These laws then need to be approved by Parliament.
The power of the Prime Minister has grown a lot since the first one, Robert Walpole, in 1721. Leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair had a huge impact. Their leadership was sometimes called "presidential" because of their strong control. Today, the Prime Minister is a very powerful leader, both in the UK and around the world. They lead one of the world's biggest economies. They are also important figures in groups like NATO, the G7, and G20.
Throughout history, 58 people (55 men and 3 women) have been Prime Minister. The first was Robert Walpole, who started in 1721 and served for over 20 years. This makes him the longest-serving Prime Minister. The shortest-serving was Liz Truss, who held the job for just seven weeks. Keir Starmer became Prime Minister on 5 July 2024. He resigned on 22 June 2026, during a time of difficulty within the Labour party. A new leader is currently being chosen through an internal election.
Contents
History of the Prime Minister's Role
How the Role Began: 1689–1742
The job of Prime Minister wasn't created all at once. It slowly developed over 300 years. Many laws, political changes, and historical events shaped it. It's hard to point to one exact moment when the role began.
The 17th century was a time of big changes in Britain. There were wars and conflicts between the King or Queen and Parliament. This led to the end of kings having total power. In 1688–1689, the "Glorious Revolution" happened. This event reduced the monarch's power and gave more power to Parliament. The Bill of Rights in 1689 made Parliament supreme. It also set out important rights for citizens. During this time, two main political groups emerged: the Whigs and the Tories.
In 1707, the Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain. This led to the Parliament of Great Britain. Around this time, the informal term 'prime minister' started to be used. Since 1721, this person was usually also the First Lord of the Treasury. This role became more important as the head of government. People started to recognize the Prime Minister more than other ministers.
After Queen Anne died in 1714, George I became king. He wasn't very interested in governing and left much of the work to his ministers. In 1720, a financial crisis called the "South Sea bubble" caused economic problems. Many government officials were involved. In 1721, Sir Robert Walpole became First Lord of the Treasury. He is often seen as the first "de facto" (meaning in practice) Prime Minister. He had a lot of influence over government decisions. At first, the title "prime minister" was sometimes used as an insult.
Walpole served as Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742. He was very good at managing money after the financial crisis. He kept peace with other countries, lowered taxes, and reduced national debt. He was also skilled at managing Parliament. Walpole's time in office helped shift political power to the House of Commons. It also helped create the modern Cabinet system. He resigned in 1742 and was followed by the Earl of Wilmington.
Growing Stronger: 1742–1945
After Walpole, there were several quick changes in government. Between 1742 and 1760, five different governments were formed. Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington became Prime Minister. However, he served for a short time and was only Prime Minister in name. The government faced many internal arguments. These were about Britain's involvement in the War of the Austrian Succession.
What the Prime Minister Does
Leading the Government
The Prime Minister is the head of the United Kingdom government. They lead the Cabinet, which is the main decision-making group. The Prime Minister also leads a major political party. This party usually has the most members in the House of Commons. This means the Prime Minister has a lot of power to make laws and run the government. In the British system, the powers of government are closely linked.
The Prime Minister is responsible for the government's actions. While they have a lot of influence, they usually work with the Cabinet. This ensures that important decisions have wide support. The Prime Minister must always keep the support of the House of Commons. If they lose this support, they are expected to resign or call a new election.
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The Prime Minister is the main advisor to the King or Queen. The monarch is the head of state. While the monarch has some theoretical powers, these are usually carried out based on the Prime Minister's advice. This is a key part of how the British system works. The monarch "reigns but does not rule." The Prime Minister advises on things like dissolving Parliament and appointing members to the House of Lords.
The Prime Minister also leads the government in setting policies. They make sure different government departments work together. Foreign policy and national security are areas where the Prime Minister has a lot of authority. These are called "prerogative powers." Historically, these powers belonged to the monarch. Now, they are used by the Prime Minister. Even so, Parliament watches over how these powers are used. It's common for a Prime Minister to ask Parliament for approval before taking military action.
Making Laws
In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister guides the process of making laws. Their goal is to pass the laws their political party wants. The Prime Minister chooses all other Cabinet members and ministers. They also coordinate the work of all government departments. The Prime Minister is the public "face" and "voice" of the government. They represent the UK both at home and abroad. The King or Queen makes many important appointments based on the Prime Minister's advice. These include judges, political officials, and church leaders.
The Prime Minister is key to how laws are passed. While they don't introduce laws directly, they control the Cabinet. They also lead the largest political party in the House of Commons. This gives them a lot of influence over what laws are proposed. This power comes from their ability to make the government work. They guide laws that match their party's goals. The Prime Minister's power in law-making has grown a lot since World War II. They now directly oversee government bills.
The Prime Minister can also influence laws by keeping their party members united. If their party has a majority, they can pass laws with little trouble. This relies on party members voting as the government wishes. This informal power is often managed by "Whips." Whips make sure Members of Parliament (MPs) stay loyal and vote with the government. The Prime Minister also shapes policies before they even reach Parliament. This often involves working with cabinet ministers and civil servants. But the Prime Minister's approval is needed to start the process.
Working with Parliament
The Prime Minister's influence in the Houses of Parliament comes from old traditions and laws. The job of Prime Minister isn't clearly written in parliamentary law. It's defined by what has happened before and by tradition. The Prime Minister's power in Parliament comes from their control of the Cabinet. It also comes from their ability to influence what laws are discussed. They can influence laws through party discipline. This means having a reliable majority of MPs who support the government's plans.
Another important power is choosing who is in the Cabinet. The Prime Minister not only picks Cabinet members but also guides their decisions. They usually lead Cabinet meetings and decide how often they happen. This helps them control the agenda and steer decisions. The Prime Minister also has a lot of control over Parliament's schedule. They use this power to make sure government bills get enough time for discussion.
The Prime Minister's parliamentary powers also include foreign relations. They represent the government on the world stage. In Parliament, treaties are approved and international agreements are discussed.
Special Powers
The most important powers given to the Prime Minister are "prerogative powers." These are special constitutional rights that came from the monarch's authority. Over time, they became tools of executive power used by the Prime Minister and the government. These powers allow the Prime Minister to act without Parliament's immediate approval. This is especially true for things like declaring war, sending troops, and giving out honors.
Prerogative powers allow the Prime Minister to act using the "authority of the crown." This happens in situations where there isn't a clear tradition or law. The Prime Minister often uses these powers for foreign affairs. For example, in 2003, Prime Minister Tony Blair sent British troops to Iraq. He did this without Parliament's immediate approval. However, there are growing calls for more checks on these powers. This is because Parliament and the public want more say.
These special powers can sometimes cause questions in modern times. This is because they are not directly controlled by Parliament's laws. This can raise concerns about who is responsible. However, the use of these powers is often limited by political traditions rather than strict laws.
How the UK Government Works
The British government system uses an uncodified constitution. This means it's not all written in one single document. Instead, it's made up of many documents, laws, and traditions. These traditions are called constitutional conventions. They have become accepted ways of doing things.
The relationships between the Prime Minister, the King or Queen, Parliament, and the Cabinet are mostly defined by these unwritten traditions. Many of the Prime Minister's powers actually come from the royal prerogative. These powers are still formally held by the King or Queen, who is the head of state. For a long time, the Prime Minister's role wasn't officially recognized in law. People pretended the monarch still governed directly. The job was first mentioned in a law in 1917. This was in the Chequers Estate Act. Over the 20th century, the Prime Minister's role appeared more in laws and official papers. But their powers still mostly come from old royal powers and traditions. Prime Ministers also hold the job of First Lord of the Treasury. Since 1968, they are also the Minister for the Civil Service. This gives them power over the civil service.
Under this system, it might seem like Britain has two leaders: the Prime Minister and the King or Queen. But the idea of "the Crown" solves this. The Crown represents the state's power to govern. This includes making laws, collecting taxes, and declaring war. After the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688, Parliament slowly made monarchs take a neutral political role. Parliament has spread the Crown's powers. It gives this authority to responsible ministers (the Prime Minister and Cabinet). These ministers are accountable to Parliament, especially the elected House of Commons.
Even though the monarch still has many legal powers, traditions mean they don't handle daily government. Ministers use the royal powers. The monarch mainly has three rights: to be kept informed, to advise, and to warn.
The Modern Prime Minister
How a Prime Minister is Chosen
In modern times, the process of choosing a Prime Minister follows traditions. These rules are described in important guides like The Cabinet Manual.
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The King or Queen appoints the Prime Minister. In the past, the monarch sometimes chose or dismissed a Prime Minister based on their personal preference. But now, it's a tradition that the monarch stays out of party politics.
If a political party wins a general election and gets the most seats in the House of Commons, their leader will be asked by the monarch to form a new government. After this invitation, the Prime Minister goes to Buckingham Palace to meet the monarch. This meeting is a moment for the Prime Minister to promise loyalty. They are then officially appointed as the head of His Majesty's government. This ceremony is sometimes called "kissing hands."
The Prime Minister holds their position because they have the support of the House of Commons. This support comes from the voters in a general election. By tradition, the Prime Minister is also an MP. They are usually the leader of the political party that has the most seats in the House of Commons.
The Prime Minister's Office
The Prime Minister's Office helps the Prime Minister. It helps them set and achieve the government's main goals and policies. It also helps them explain government policies to Parliament, the public, and other countries. The Prime Minister's Office is officially part of the Cabinet Office. But their work can sometimes overlap. Some people believe this means there is effectively a "Prime Minister's Department."
The Prime Minister's Office was officially created in 1916 by David Lloyd George during World War I. This was the first time the office was formally recognized. It became a separate part of government with staff to help coordinate policies. This happened because wartime leadership needed a more organized and efficient government.
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) is a long-standing tradition. It happens every Wednesday at noon when the House of Commons is meeting. During this time, the Prime Minister answers questions from Members of Parliament (MPs). The leader of the opposition usually asks six questions. The leader of the third-largest party can ask two questions. It's a time when the Prime Minister appears regularly on live television and radio.
This session, in its modern form, started in 1961. The timing of PMQs has changed over the years. In 1989, PMQs were first broadcast. In 1990, they were broadcast live to the public. This was done to make the government more open and accountable.
The Prime Minister also appears before the Liaison Committee. Here, they answer questions about public policy.
Safety and Travel
The police protect the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers. This is handled by the Metropolitan Police Service's Protection Command. When the Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street, armed police are always nearby. There are also security checkpoints and street patrols. This security was increased due to fears of bomb threats in the past. When traveling, the Prime Minister is with police officers and a security team. Their cars are custom-made and have many safety features. Air travel for the Prime Minister is provided by military and civilian planes.
Global Role
One of the Prime Minister's jobs is to represent the UK at home and around the world. For example, they attend the annual G7 Summit. Prime Ministers make many international trips. The number of overseas visits has increased over time.
Deputy Prime Minister
Prime Ministers have sometimes had deputies. This might be an official Deputy Prime Minister, a First Secretary of State, or an unofficial deputy. Some Prime Ministers choose not to have a fixed deputy.
Historically, the Deputy Prime Minister role was created when needed, not by a specific law. For example, Clement Attlee was an unofficial deputy to Winston Churchill during World War II. He helped manage home affairs while Churchill focused on the war. More recently, after the 2010 election, David Cameron and Nick Clegg formed a coalition government. Clegg served as Deputy Prime Minister. He chaired meetings and led important discussions. This made the role more formal during his time.
What Happens if a Prime Minister Resigns or Dies
No one automatically takes over as Prime Minister. If a Prime Minister dies suddenly, an interim (temporary) Prime Minister would be appointed. There is no official title like "acting Prime Minister."
The government has procedures for such events. The King or Queen would choose a very senior member of the government to act as caretaker. This person might not be a Member of Parliament. If there was a recognized deputy, that would be an important factor. The King or Queen would also consider who might become the next long-term Prime Minister. The Cabinet Secretary would likely talk to Cabinet members to find someone acceptable. Once the political party chooses a new leader, that person would become Prime Minister.
When the Prime Minister travels, a senior minister is usually appointed to handle urgent matters. However, the Prime Minister remains in charge and is kept updated. For example, in April 2020, when Boris Johnson was ill, he asked Dominic Raab to act on his behalf when necessary.
Resigning from Office
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A Prime Minister leaves office by offering their resignation to the King or Queen. This often happens after their party loses a general election. It can also happen during their term if they are forced to resign for political reasons or health. If a Prime Minister resigns mid-term, and their party still has a majority, the party chooses a new leader. This new leader is then asked by the monarch to become the new Prime Minister. The outgoing Prime Minister usually stays until the new leader is chosen. After resigning, they remain a Member of Parliament. An outgoing Prime Minister can also suggest people to the monarch for special honors. Only one Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval, has ever been assassinated, in 1812.
Special Privileges
When a new Prime Minister takes office, they usually make a public statement. They announce that the King or Queen has appointed them. They often say something like:
His Majesty the King has asked me to form a government and I have accepted.
Titles and How to Address Them
The title "prime minister" first appeared in official records in 1885. In 1904, the Imperial Calendar listed Arthur Balfour as 'Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury'. Before that, he was just 'First Lord of the Treasury'.
In the UK, the Prime Minister ranks higher than almost everyone else, except members of the royal family. The Prime Minister was officially given a place in the order of precedence in 1905. The Chequers Estate Act 1917 was the first law to mention the Prime Minister. It named Chequers as a residence for them.
The Prime Minister is usually a member of the Privy Council. This means they are called "The Right Honourable." Membership in the Council lasts for life. It's a tradition that only a Privy Counsellor can become Prime Minister. If someone who isn't a Privy Counsellor is chosen, they are appointed to the Council right before becoming Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister should be called "the Prime Minister." While "Prime Minister Keir Starmer" is common in news, "Prime Minister Starmer" is not used in the UK.
Salary
In 2010, the Prime Minister received £14,500 in addition to their MP salary of £65,737. Until 2006, the lord chancellor was the highest-paid government member. This changed after a law in 2005. In 2024, the Prime Minister's salary was £166,786. This includes their MP salary. Some Prime Ministers have chosen to take a lower salary.
Official Homes
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10 Downing Street in London has been the Prime Minister's official home since 1732. They can use its staff and facilities, including many offices. King George I originally gave the building to Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister, as a personal gift. But Walpole insisted it be for the First Lord of the Treasury, so future Prime Ministers could use it. The complex includes numbers 11 and 12 Downing Street, which are connected to number 10. Together, the three buildings have over 100 rooms.
Chequers, a country house in Buckinghamshire, is another official residence. It was given to the government in 1917. The Prime Minister can use it as a country retreat. It was donated so the Prime Minister could have time in the countryside. The condition was that the Prime Minister should not own their own country home.
In the past, many Prime Ministers were wealthy nobles. They owned large estates and country houses. They used these as retreats during parliamentary breaks.
After Being Prime Minister
Retirement Honors
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When a Prime Minister retires, the King or Queen usually gives them an honor. This is often membership in the Order of the Garter, a very important order of chivalry. If a Prime Minister is Scottish, they might receive the Order of the Thistle instead.
Historically, it was also common to give retired Prime Ministers a peerage. This would make them a member of the House of Lords. The last time this happened for an earldom was for Harold Macmillan in 1984. More recently, former Prime Ministers like Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher accepted life peerages. David Cameron received a peerage after rejoining the government as Foreign Secretary, not directly for his time as Prime Minister.
What Former Prime Ministers Do
There are no set jobs for former Prime Ministers. What they do depends on their personal choices. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many wealthy former Prime Ministers simply retired to their country estates. Some Prime Ministers, like Robert Walpole, became very rich. Others, like William Pitt the Elder, ended up with large debts that Parliament later paid off. In 1937, an official pension for former Prime Ministers was introduced.
Many former Prime Ministers write memoirs and autobiographies. Some have also written non-political books. For example, Winston Churchill wrote histories of World War II. Edward Heath wrote about his interests in sailing and music. Benjamin Disraeli wrote many popular novels.
In the 21st century, many former Prime Ministers have started their own foundations or charities. They use these to stay involved in public issues. Margaret Thatcher started a foundation in 1991. Tony Blair has set up a sports foundation and an inter-faith foundation. He also started the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Blair was also the first Prime Minister to take on a major international role after leaving office. Gordon Brown remained active in politics, especially during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Some former Prime Ministers have even returned to serve in later governments. For example, the Duke of Wellington served in two governments after his own. Arthur Balfour served as Foreign Secretary during and after World War I. Neville Chamberlain served in Winston Churchill's war cabinet after resigning as Prime Minister. David Cameron returned seven years after resigning to serve as Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak.
Public Duty Costs Allowance (PDCA)
All former Prime Ministers can claim money for salary or office expenses. These expenses must be for public duties related to their former role. The allowance cannot be used for private or parliamentary duties.
The maximum amount that can be claimed each year is £115,000. This includes an extra 10% for staff pension costs. This limit is reviewed every year. It can be lowered if the former Prime Minister receives other public money for other jobs.
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro del Reino Unido para niños
- List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom
- List of nicknames of prime ministers of the United Kingdom
- List of things named after prime ministers of the United Kingdom
- Records of prime ministers of the United Kingdom
