If, hypothetically, Conservative* win next election by a landslide, gaining a majority in the commons...
But David Cameron fails to win in his constituency, thus not being an MP, will he still be able to be our Prime Minister, nad if not him, who?
*The only reason I'm saying Conservative is that we don't really know the Labour party leader at the moment, the question is just in general.
2007-01-13 08:05:45 · 16 answers · asked by howsU2day 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The Prime Minister is chosen by the Queen. Historically, she selects the leader of the party most likely to carry a working majority in the House of Commons. However, she can select anyone she likes. She selected Lord Home in 1963, after consulting with senior members of the Conservative Party. The sitting MP for Perth & Kinross was then prevailed upon to fall on his sword, so to speak. Lord Home resigned his peerage and fought the resultant by-election, which he won quite handily.
So that option is open, in your scenario. More likely, again, based on your scenario, Mr Cameron would resign as leader and the party would find someone to take over as quickly as possible.
2007-01-13 08:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by skip 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Time for the Tory Party to grow up. The UK demands a written Constitution (one made NOT by politicians but by a constitutitional assembly of ordinary citizens). The Tory Party is a historical anachronism.
Aren't you ashamed that Britain, today, STILL has no written Constitution to regulate its own political classes ? Small wonder apathy is the order of the day. You guys really amaze me. And the English people tolerate it with propaganda of an 'invisible Constitution'. Long live Democracy - Scottish people should show you Tories the back door. INDEPENDENCE for the self-seeking Conservatives who wish to conserve only the elite status quo.
200 Years ago less than 50 people were on the voting lists of many big British cities. Thanks to the Tories.
No my friend - Scotland will finally wake you up to democracy.
2007-01-13 20:13:06 · answer #2 · answered by democracynow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i assume if the united kingdom continues to be round as a State in thirty 5 years that's amazingly in all probability that someone whose ethnic origins are not any further from Europe may be the properly MInister and so what? i will imagine of one or 2 "non Europeans" now who will be more suitable constructive than that human being at present occupying huge style 10. notwithstanding in my opinion a lot as i appreciate my English daughter in regulation and stale direction my 3 1/2 Scots 1/2 English Grandchildren, i'd very very comparable to to be sure the top of the British state and a sparkling and larger constructive self reliant partnership between the international locations that occupy those islands
2016-10-31 00:32:51 · answer #3 · answered by ridinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that happened, I think he would have to step down and hand the big job to his Deputy (Prime Minister), because he would lose credibility.
It would take a constitutional expert to answer this properly though. I have a suspicion that theoretically he could remain in the top job, because he is the leader of his party..but he would not be allowed in the Houses of Parliament.
2007-01-13 08:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Prime Minister does not have to be an MP. He / She just needs to command the support of a majority of MPs in the House of Commons.
In practical terms, however, if he failed to win his own seat his position as leader would be untenable and he would be forced to relinquish the party leadership.
2007-01-13 08:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't actually need to be an MP to be prime minister, you just need to be the leader of the party who wins the most seats in the election. However, in practise, any party will ensure that their leader does win his heat, by giving him or her a nice safe one.
2015-08-13 22:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by Simon M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you cannot be prime minister if you are not a minister in the first place. If they win the election but he does not retain his seat then perhaps it goes to the deputy leader of the party whoever that is .
2007-01-13 08:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. The Prime Minister must be a Member of Parliament.
2007-01-13 08:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by Sam 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I've just checked out the shadow cabinet, and strangely there doesn't appear to be a deputy leader of the opposition. Francis Maude is chairman of the party so perhaps it would be him.
2007-01-13 09:36:31 · answer #9 · answered by totnesmartin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe Portillo or Boris Johnston.
It doesn't matter who wins the next election (Conservative or Labour) as we will still have an ex-public schoolboy running the country!
2007-01-13 08:16:24 · answer #10 · answered by Jimbobarino 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋