Changing Prime Ministers mid-term and the constitution

12th May 2026 How gaining or losing a Prime Minister between general elections in the norm and not the exception * There is perhaps a ‘classic’ view – which like many ‘classic’ views is not really true – that a Prime Minister comes in with a general election and then goes out at a General Election. Like Disraeli and Gladstone did in Victorian days, or Attlee did between 1945 and 1951. But since 1974 that has not happened. Every Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 1974 has either taken office between general elections or lost office between general elections – and recently even both. Some would say that 1974 is not a sound starting point, as Heath sought to stay on and do a deal after the February election, and we would have to go back to 1970. * Those who came in between general elections since 1974: Callaghan, Major, Brown, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak. Those who left office between general elections since 1974: Wilson, Thatcher, Blair, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss. Those who…