How to become Prime Minister in the UK

How do you become Prime Minister?

Accessibility icon How to become Prime Minister in the UK

The new Prime Minister of Britain

Britain uses a system called «First Past the Post» for its general elections. The country is divided into 650 constituencies. Each constituency votes for a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons.

Whichever candidate gets the most votes in a constituency becomes its MP.

📷  Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, England
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, England.
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

Absolute majority

The goal for any political party is to have the majority of MPs in the House of Commons. If a party has more than half of the 650 seats, its leader usually becomes the Prime Minister.

Downing street sign, the street of the Prime Minister in London, UK.
Downing street sign, the street of the Prime Minister in London, UK.

Hung parliament

If no party wins outright, parties can form a coalition to combine their seats and reach a majority together. The leader of the dominant party in the coalition then generally takes up the role of Prime Minister.

Houses of Parliament architecture, London, UK
Houses of Parliament architecture, London, UK

Sources:

Media rights

    1. Getty Images
    2. Getty Images
    3. Getty Images