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You are here: UK History > Evolution of British politics > Everything you need to know about the Prime Minist
If you've ever wanted to be or wanted to find out more about the role of Prime Minister, here are the basics that you need to know.
Robert Walpole is recognised as being the first official prime minister, he began his term in office in 1721 and was also the longest serving prime minister - he served for a 20 years. The shortest serving prime minister was Liz Truss, who served just 45 days in office.
The current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is the 57th to serve since the office was first established. A total of 15 prime ministers have served under Queen Elizabeth II, more than any other British monarch, George III, who ruled for 59 years, had 14 during his reign.
If you've ever wanted to be or wanted to find out more about the role of Prime Minister, here are the basics that you need to know.
Robert Walpole is recognised as being the first official prime minister, he began his term in office in 1721 and was also the longest serving prime minister - he served for a 20 years. The shortest serving prime minister was Liz Truss, who served just 45 days in office.
The current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is the 57th to serve since the office was first established. A total of 15 prime ministers have served under Queen Elizabeth II, more than any other British monarch, George III, who ruled for 59 years, had 14 during his reign.
Robert Walpole didn't like the term Prime Minister, perfering to be known as the First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons. Prime Minister was often shouted at ministers who were thought to be getting too big for their boots. It is only in more recent years that Walpole began to be known as Prime Minister.
In the UK, anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to vote and become a member of parliament, which means that they could also become prime minister at 18. The youngest prime minister so far was William Pitt the Younger, who was just 24 when he became leader. This is in contrast to how things are done in America, their constitution states that the President must be at least 35 years old.
There have been three female prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher was the first, she was elected in 1979 for 11 years, followed by Theresa May in 2017, who resigned after just three years. The third was Liz Truss.
The salary changes yearly but it is thought to be around £80,000 on top of the annual £84,000 that MPs earn.
10 Downing Street is the official residence of the prime minister, which has a private living area on the third floor. They also have use of Chequers Court, a 16th century manor in Buckinghamshire which is used as a country retreat and their own private residence. Every prime minister also has a fleet of ministerial cars, which are always manufactured in the UK and are custom made.
For a time, the only people who were seen as leaders in government were lords, but since Lord Salisbury, there hasn't been anyone from the House of Lords as prime minister. There isn't a rule per se that exempts prime ministers from the House of Lords, however, members of the House of Lords are not allowed to speak in the House of Commons.
Spencer Perceval is the only British prime minister who has been assassinated while in office. He was shot in the Houses of Commons by John Bellingham in 1812.
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