Tony Blair / sedgefield

[LeedsRhinos]

What would have happened if TB had lost his constituancy  (spelling) at sedgefield. Could he still sit at the commons as PM even if he wasn't an elected MP?

[bernardo]

No, although he could stay as Prime Minister for a brief time without being an MP.  Theoretically, anybody can be appointed by the Queen as PM, and they do not have to be an MP or in the House of Lords.  In practical terms, nowadays all PMs are MPs, and would be likely to resign if they lost their seat.

[acw]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4351315.stm#system

 

The question is answered on this page... sort of!  It at least describes what would happen in practical terms. 

[GMH]

It's very interesting. Have there been any former Prime Ministers or leaders who have lost their seats while still in office? I suppose it's a bit like resigning as soon as you become Prime Minister, which I must admit is quite daft!

[acw]

David Trimble was a leader!

[bernardo]

A sort-of similar (but not quite) situation happened in 1963, when Alec Douglas-Home became Prime Minister (on 19th October 1963).  It was not practical or politically acceptable for a member of the House of Lords to be PM, so he immediately renounced his peerage and stood as a candidate - and was electeed (on 7th November 1963) as an MP -  in a by-election which was pending.  He was thus PM for about 3 weeks before becoming an MP.  If he had lost the by-election, he would almost certainly have resigned as PM immediately.

[avis50]

In the 19th century there were a number of peers who were Prime Minister - Grey, Melbourne, Palmerston - the last one was the Marquis of Salisbury who was PM from 1895-1902.  I am not sure how this worked out in practice.  I am assuming that they were not able to enter the Commons chamber?