Timeline of prime ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom facts for kids
This is a chart that shows the timeline of prime ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom. It starts with Robert Walpole, who became the first prime minister of Great Britain in 1721. It goes all the way up to today's prime minister.
From 1801 until 1922, British prime ministers were also in charge of all of Ireland.
Contents
Prime Ministers of Great Britain (1721-1801)
This section shows the leaders of Great Britain before the full union with Ireland.
Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922)
This timeline shows the prime ministers when Great Britain and Ireland were united.
Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1922-Present)
This timeline shows the prime ministers after most of Ireland became independent.
Combined Timeline of Prime Ministers
This timeline shows all the prime ministers from 1721 to the present day in one place.
Prime Ministers' Political Journeys
This section looks at the political lives of prime ministers from 1846 onwards. The first prime minister, Robert Walpole, was in the early 1700s.
Unlike leaders in some other countries, a UK prime minister must first have a political career in the UK Parliament. They usually spend many years in the House of Commons before becoming prime minister. Sometimes, they stay in Parliament for many years after.
Since the Marquess of Salisbury in 1895, all prime ministers have served in the House of Commons before taking office. The only exception was Sir Alec Douglas-Home. He was a member of the government while in the House of Lords from 1951 to 1963. However, he had been an elected member for Lanark from 1931 to 1945. After becoming prime minister, Douglas-Home returned to the Commons by winning a special election.
Interestingly, David Cameron served as Foreign Secretary from November 2023 to July 2024 while he was a member of the House of Lords.
Understanding the Timeline Key
- The dark coloured bar shows the time a person spent as prime minister.
- A light colour shows time spent in Parliament before or after being prime minister.
- A grey colour bar shows time when the prime minister was not in the House of Commons or Parliament at all. This could be before or after their political career.
Interesting Facts About Prime Ministers Since 1800
- Served two separate times as prime minister: Russell, Palmerston, Disraeli, MacDonald, Churchill, Wilson.
- Served three separate times as prime minister: Derby, Salisbury, Baldwin.
- Served four separate times as prime minister: Gladstone.
- Changed political parties during their career: Palmerston, Derby, Gladstone, Churchill (who changed twice).
- Died while still in office: Canning, Palmerston, Perceval (who was assassinated).
- Died less than six months after leaving office: Portland, Campbell-Bannerman, Law, Chamberlain.
- Left Parliament right after leaving office: Russell, Baldwin, Blair.
- Lived for more than twenty years after leaving the House of Commons: Macmillan, Douglas-Home, Thatcher, Major.
- Served less than twenty years in Parliament before becoming prime minister: Baldwin, Chamberlain, Wilson, Major, Blair, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, Starmer.
- Served more than twenty years in Parliament after being prime minister: Rosebery, Balfour, Lloyd George, Heath.
- Became prime minister after a break in their parliamentary career: MacDonald, Churchill, Macmillan (twice), Douglas-Home, Johnson.
- Served as prime minister under two different Kings or Queens: Walpole, Newcastle, Liverpool, Wellington, Melbourne, Peel, Salisbury, Asquith, Churchill, Truss.
- Served as prime minister under three different Kings or Queens: Baldwin.
- Served as prime minister for less than two months: Truss.
- Over 65 years old when first appointed: Palmerston, Campbell-Bannerman, Aberdeen, Chamberlain, Grey, Churchill.
- Under 45 years old when first appointed: Goderich, Blair, Addington, Cameron, Sunak, Liverpool.
Timeline of Political Careers
