The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of His Majesty's Government. The office is central to the UK constitution, but many of its powers come from convention rather than a single written constitutional document.
The prime minister is appointed by the monarch. In practice, the monarch appoints the person who is best placed to command the confidence of the House of Commons. After a general election this is normally the leader of the party that can form a government. Between elections it may be the new leader of the governing party, provided that person can command Commons confidence.
Constitutional Position
The prime minister is not elected separately by the public. Voters elect Members of Parliament. The government then depends on support in the House of Commons.
The Cabinet Manual describes the prime minister as head of the Government and states that the prime minister holds office by virtue of being able to command the confidence of the House of Commons. The office therefore links party leadership, parliamentary support, ministerial appointment and government policy.
Appointment
The monarch appoints a prime minister under the royal prerogative. The appointment is usually straightforward when one party wins a clear Commons majority. It can be more complicated after a hung parliament or during a change of party leadership.
An incumbent prime minister normally remains in office until it is clear who can form a government. If the prime minister resigns, the monarch invites the person who appears most likely to command Commons confidence to form an administration.
Main Functions
The prime minister leads the government and chairs the Cabinet. The role includes setting overall direction, co-ordinating departments, representing the government in Parliament and making major decisions with ministers.
The prime minister also recommends ministerial appointments to the monarch, oversees the structure of government, represents the UK internationally and leads the government's response to major crises. Some powers are exercised personally, while others are exercised through Cabinet, ministers, departments and the civil service.
Cabinet and Ministers
Cabinet government means that senior ministers meet collectively to discuss major policy and government business. The prime minister chairs Cabinet and has strong influence over the agenda, but the government remains accountable to Parliament.
Ministers are responsible for their departments. They must account to Parliament for policy, spending and administration. The prime minister can appoint, move or dismiss ministers, but the political strength of a prime minister depends heavily on Parliament, the governing party and public authority.
Parliament
The prime minister is normally a Member of Parliament and is the principal government figure in the House of Commons. Prime Minister's Questions, ministerial statements, debates, select committees and confidence motions are all part of parliamentary scrutiny.
If a government loses the confidence of the House of Commons, the prime minister is expected either to resign or to seek a dissolution of Parliament so that a general election can be held. Confidence is therefore a practical test of whether the government can continue.
Limits
The office is powerful but not unlimited. The prime minister operates within statute, common law, parliamentary procedure, political convention, party management, Cabinet government, judicial review and public scrutiny.
The prime minister cannot make primary legislation without Parliament. The government cannot raise new taxes or spend public money without parliamentary authority. Even where the prime minister directs policy, implementation depends on ministers, departments and Parliament.
See Also
References
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