How the British Prime Minister is Chosen
After my post on Kemi Badenoch yesterday, someone came inbox to ask me how the next British Prime Minister will be chosen. He wanted to see if the Nigerian-born 42-year-old — who is married to a British banker hence the non-Nigerian sounding surname — has a great chance of being the first non-white to become Britain’s leader. It’s a tantalizing prospect because yes, I am a fan of Kemi — nee Adegoke — and what she stands for.
But what are the paths and processes before she can emerge as the one who acts as the public “face” and “voice” of the Government of Her Majesty the Queen, both at home and abroad?
The Office of the Prime Minister (PM) of Britain
Nigerians are used to the presidential system where every 4 years just like in the United States, they queue up to elect a leader directly. Britain does not practice this system. So its leader does not emerge this way. In fact, historically, the PM is chosen by the British monarch — in this case, the monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. She has the power to fire or dismiss the PM through the exercise of the royal prerogative. These days though, the monarch is no longer drawn into politics. The last time the monarch used a personal decision to fire or choose a prime minister was in 1834 when King William IV dismissed Lord Melbourne.
Still, the PM serves at the behest of the monarch. By custom, the new PM is unveiled to the British public and the world when they have “kissed hands” with the reigning monarch. This is done by saying,
“Her Majesty the Queen [His Majesty the King] has asked me to form a government and I have accepted.”
Also, before leaving 10 Downing Street (the British version of Aso Rock), the PM must first tender their resignation to Their Majesty. Queen Elizabeth II has served with 14 prime ministers during her reign.
So, if the monarch does not actively choose or dismiss the PM, how is the person selected?
The Ideal Scenario
Typically, general elections held every five years are used to select the British prime minister. Citizens choose people to represent their local area, known as a constituency. Those chosen will be called Members of Parliaments (MP). Choosing a president directly will not be an option as will happen in Nigeria next year.
Because the person to be voted by the electorates will come from a party, the party with the most people elected (MPs) wins the election. That party will have won the most constituencies. That party will decide within itself who would become the Prime Minister.
That’s the ideal scenario. The last time there was a general election was in 2019 when Boris Johnson was already PM. Because the Conservative Party won a strong majority in parliament with 358 of 650 seats, Johnson was retained.
But what happens in the case of resignation like Boris did?
The Resignation Scenario
Again, no general elections. The Conservative Party will choose its new leader, who will then become the leader of the government and the country.
I kinda guessed that. What’s the pathway for Kemi?
It’s a lengthy process.
Tosin, hit me.
The process is run by the 1922 Committee. The 1922 Committee is a group of all Conservative backbench MPs who do not hold any government posts. They establish rules which will lead to the emergence of the PM. And they have established the rules.
Which are?
To start with, anyone interested in the contest needs to have at least 20 public nominations from the party’s 358 lawmakers to proceed to the first round of votes.
On Wednesday, the first round of secret-ballot votes will commence. To make it past the first round, candidates must win at least 30 votes. Anyone who receives less than 30 votes will be eliminated before another vote follows on Thursday. Voting will continue until only two candidates remain.
With the final two, the registered members of the Conservative Party, who number about 200,000 will be in the spotlight (Btw, I am surprised they are so small considering it takes only a membership fee of £25 to become a member. Nigerians in Britain, you need to do better). Anyway, the members of the Conservative Party will choose the winner via voting; those who would choose the next Prime Minister will represent only 0.29% of the British population.
When will the winner be chosen?
September 5, 2022.
Two months?
Yeah.
Who are those standing in Kemi’s way?
So far, 11 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. The Conservative Home office carried out a poll yesterday. The results showed that former defence minister Penny Mordaunt was the most popular with members. Kemi, the equalities minister, was second. Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as finance minister started the fire which consumed Boris Johnson, was third.
Who is Boris backing?
Johnson has declined to endorse any of the candidates. The number of people surprised? Zero!
Good luck to Kemi.
Yeah, she will need all the good wishes that can come her way.
References: Time, Reuters, The Week, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal
