Prime Minister under the British Constitution
1) Introduction
● The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of Government of the United Kingdom and chairs Cabinet meetings. In Britain, there is a parliamentary form of Government. The Prime Minister being a head of the state occupies a very important position. He is rightly called the keystone of the cabinet and the state and he is the outstanding personality in England. According to the conventions of the country Prime Minister must belongs to house of the Common
2) Qualifications of Prime Minister
Following are the qualification for election of Prime Minister of U.K
1. Citizenship
● Candidate must have citizenship whether he was born in any other country . Because a lot of former prime ministers of U.K who were belong from other country and become PM of U.K
2. Age
● There is no age restriction to elect as Prime minister of U.K and not written in constitution any mature person can be elected by Queen
3) Position of Prime Minister in Britain
Following are the different statements about the position of the prime Minister in the state
● The prime Minister of England occupies a unique position in the Government
● Prime Minister is the political Ruler of England
● The Prime Minister is moon among the stars
● He is the axis around which the entire government machinery revolves
● Prime Minister is the captain of the ship of the State
4) Origin of office of Prime Minister
● The office of Prime Minister is a result of mere accident. Mr Robert Walpole was the first prime Minister of the U.K who preside over the meetings of the cabinet and he was the longest serving Prime Minister of the British.There is no specific date when the office of Prime Minister first appeared, as the role was not created but developed over a period of time. The term “Prime Minister” was used in the House of Commons in 1805 and in 1905 the post of Prime Minister has been officially recognized by law. And after the act of 1906 , act of 1917 and act of 1937 recognize the office of Prime Minister
5) Appointment of Prime Minister
● The King appoints any person as Prime Minister who attains the majority of the house after the general elections of the country. And then Prime Minister makes the cabinet on the advice of king
6) Functions and powers of the Prime Minister
Following are the powers and functions of the prime minister
I. National leader
● The Prime Minister is the national leader of the country. He makes all the policies for country and he only is the leader of his people all the high ranked official obeys his orders
II. Chief of the Cabinet
● Prime minister is the chief of his cabinet because he makes his own cabinet by himself on the advice of the king. He is the dominating personality in the cabinet. He appoints all the minister and they all are work under his guidance
III. Leader of the House of Common
● The Prime Minister is the leader of the House of Common. He represents the House of Common in the Cabinet. He is the chief spokesman of the government and all important announcements in the house are made by him
IV. Head of Government Departments
● The Prime Minister is the head of the Government departments. He is the head of important committees. Because he has superior authority among all others in the state or country. His opinions always supersedes on others opinions
V. Chief advisor of crown
● The Prime Minister is the chief advisor of the king. He gives important advices to the king because he is selected by the king and king dominates upon Prime Minister
VI. Control over foreign affairs
● The Prime Minister controls the foreign affairs of the state. He makes foreign policies and attends all the important conferences held between the countries
VII. Policy maker
● Prime Minister is the policy makes because all important policies of the state relating to all matters are made by Prime Minister and no one can challenge these policies
VIII. Power of appointment
The king makes important appointments on the advice of the Prime Minister. Following are the appointments
1) Appointment of Ambassador
2) Appointment of diplomatic representative
3) Appoint of Governor-General
4) Appoint of Governor of Colonies
5) Appoint of Finance Minister
6) Appointment of Member of Cabinet
7) Appointment of Civil and Military officers
IX. Power of dissolution
● The Prime Minister is the only person who can dissolve the house of commons on the advice of the king. Prime Minister always consults with the cabinet for dissolution of the house
X. Settlements of disputes
● The Prime Minister settle the disputes between the different departments of the government and between the members of cabinet or other and Prime Minister plays his significant role in this regard in order to abolish the disputes
XI. Acknowledged leader of his party
● The Prime Minister is the acknowledged leader of his party because his selection is based upon the majority of parliament
XII. Source of communication between king and cabinet
● The Prime Minister is a source of communication between the king and cabinet. He plays a vital role between the king and cabinet. He delivers ideas from a place to another
7) Conclusion
● The prime Minister of the British has great powers in his hand. He can change the laws, repeal the laws and modify them with the need of time. He dominates all departments of the United Kingdom no one challenges his authority. He is superior to all officials existing in the state. He can dissolve the house and can appoint any kind of official on the advice of king and all other official policies are being made by him