| |
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
Prime Minister
|
|
|
The leader of the party or coalition in power and the nation's chief executive, presiding over the *cabinet. The office developed almost accidentally in the 18C. The monarch had taken cabinet meetings until the accession of *George I, who spoke no English. In his absence someone had to take the chair, and this politician became known as the prime minister. Sir Robert *Walpole is considered the first to have held the office. He did so for 21 years (1721–42), longer than any of his successors.
|
|
|
|
|
The positions held jointly by Walpole were first lord of the Treasury and chancellor of the exchequer. The former has remained the office held by all prime ministers, for it was not until 1905 that the rank of prime minister itself was formally acknowledged. (Since 1968 each prime minister has also been the minister for the *civil service.) In the 18–19C prime ministers were as often in the House of *Lords as the House of *Commons, but the last to sit in the Lords was the marquess of *Salisbury in 1895–1902. The official residence since Walpole's time has been 10 *Downing Street, with *Chequers as a country house since 1921.
|
|
|
|
|
In recent years a cabinet minister has sometimes been designated deputy prime minister, usually as a political sop. The office has no constitutional authority and does not imply (unlike the vice-presidency of the USA) any right of succession should the prime minister die.
|
|
|
|