Unlike the US, British voters do not choose their Prime Minister (PM). He/she is voted for within their political party.

The leader of the party in power becomes the Prime Minister.

The leader of the political party with the most MPs in the House of Commons is asked by the Queen to become Prime Minister and to form a government that will manage the country. 

Who is the party in power today?

In the 2005 General Election, Labour won 356 seats (for their Ministers of Parliament), Conservatives 198 seats and Liberal Democrats 62. As the Labour Party won the most seats, its leader at the time, Tony Blair, was asked to form the government.

Parliamentary elections are held once every five years, or less.

Who is the British Prime Minister?

At present, the Prime Minister is Gordon Brown, who is also the leader of the Labour Party (from 27 June 2007).

Every week the Prime Minister appears before the House of Commons and must answer questions put to him or her by the members of Parliament.

The Prime Minister is the head of the UK Government

The Prime Minister heads the Government and appoints Ministers, who head individual Government departments.

The Secretaries of State

The most important ministers are called Secretaries of State and they form the Cabinet.

The Secretaries of State are in charge of a Government Department (a ministry). Each minister is responsible for his department, and makes sure that his department applies the policy of the government.

The most important Secretaries of State are:

• The Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance)
• The Foreign Secretary (international affairs)
• The Home Secretary (internal affairs)
• The Lord Chancellor (the legal system)
• The Secretary of State for Education
• The Secretary of State for Transport and the Environment.

Shadow Cabinet

The two other main political parties also have their own ‘shadow cabinets’.

Where does the Prime Minister live?

Traditionally, the official residence of the Prime Minister is at Number 10 Downing Street.

He also has a house in the country called Chequers.

What is Chequers?

Chequers is a country house belonging to the Government, which is used as the Prime Minister's non-London residence. If the PM needs to hold a private conference of some of his Ministers or receive foreign visitors over a weekend, Chequers is usually where it is done. It is also used by Prime Ministers to entertain guests as a special privilege.

How Britain is Governed | Parliament

House of Parliament | Elections | Government

Prime Minister | House of Commons

Making and Passing Laws