United Kingdom/Deputy Prime Minister

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Employment.png United Kingdom/Deputy Prime Minister 
(Deputy Prime Minister)
Start19 February 1942
BossUK/Prime Minister
Websitehttp://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
The UK Deputy Prime Minister does not have any particular power and is not intended to replace the Prime Minister in the event of absence or illness.

The deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom is the second highest ranking minister of the Crown and a member of the British Cabinet. The title is not always in use and prime ministers have been known to appoint informal deputies without the title of deputy prime minister.

Alternatively or simultaneously, a First Secretary of State may also represent the Prime Minister.

Overview

Brazier has written that there are three reasons why a deputy prime minister has been appointed: to set out the line of succession to the premiership preferred by the prime minister, to promote the efficient discharge of government business and (in the case of Labour governments) to accord recognition to the status of the deputy leader of the Labour party.[1]

Unlike what can be done in other countries, the deputy Prime Minister does not have any particular power and is not intended to replace the Prime Minister in the event of absence or illness. He is also not intended to succeed the Prime Minister in the event of death in office, resignation, impediment or impeachment of the latter. However, if, de jure, its holder does not hold any additional power, this function gives him, de facto, a predominant position in the cabinet. Thus, it is customary for him to replace the Prime Minister in his absence during government questions.




 

Office Holders on Wikispooks

NameFromTo
Angela Rayner5 July 2024
Oliver Dowden21 April 2023
Dominic Raab25 October 202221 April 2023
Thérèse Coffey6 September 202225 October 2022
Nick Clegg11 May 20108 May 2015
John Prescott2 May 199727 June 2007
Michael Heseltine20 July 19952 May 1997
Michael Heseltine20 July 19952 May 1997
Geoffrey Howe24 July 19891 November 1990
William Whitelaw4 May 197910 January 1988
Rab Butler13 July 196218 October 1963
Anthony Eden26 October 19516 April 1955
Herbert Morrison26 July 194526 October 1951
Clement Attlee19 February 194223 May 1945
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References

  1. ↑ Brazier, Rodney (1988). "The deputy prime minister". Public Law.
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