Picking the P M

Choosing a Prime Minister: The Transfer of Power in Britain, by Brazier, Rodney. Oxford University Press. 196 pp. £80.00 It is matter some surprise to most people that there no law providing for the existence office Minister, specifying its functions and powers, qualifications office, length tenure, method appointment removal from office. This principally because UK still lacks written constitution describing prescribing our system politics, one vital articles which would dictate circumscribe head government. Instead, we retain legal mythology Crown as basis whole government and, theory, monarch appointing whoever they want under royal prerogative. Political custom, precedent practice shapes form political executive determines process choosing changing Minister. Rodney Brazier has now addressed this subject his new book, adding distinguished line publications on constitutional affairs stretching back 1980s—the principal these was Constitutional Practice. work represents an expansion updating four chapters earlier work, dealing with matters prime ministerial appointment. valuable timely account variety topical issues relating who governs Britain draws modern history precedents explain illustrate processes involved. Chapter Two book entitled ‘A Vacancy at Number 10’ gives narrative analysis personal circumstances contributing resignation. Earlier episodes are related discussed, conclusion drawn Minister rarely retires truly voluntary reasons. In absence maximum term US presidency, considers various situations leading past departures. Apart election defeats, range illnesses, loss party leadership, pressure (including Theresa May 2019), ‘unintended suicide’ David Cameron 2016 following referendum he called membership EU. A covered Three ‘Minding Shop’, addressing situation is, or should be, serving when absent any reason. When Boris Johnson hospitalised Covid-19 early 2020, widespread uncertainty precise authority powers nominated stand-in Dominic Raab, future cases media do well consult position. effect particular minister being given additional title Deputy First Secretary State, unregulated not provided law, reflecting famous (or infamous) flexibility governmental arrangements generally. One significant developments recent terms parliamentary sovereignty been successive changes rulebooks all parties extend voting rights choice leader therefore, designate, beyond members national mass membership. Four sets out rules how have operated times. includes politically highly occasions selected favourite MPs, thereby almost certainly ironically prejudicing party's electoral fortunes, remarkably Labour selections Ed over Miliband 2010 Jeremy Corbyn Andy Burnham 2015. Five (Prime Party's Choice) then focusses internal to, holding senior politicians reaching, premiership, good use made many biographies autobiographies actors times Six People's discusses considerations appointments, including complexities outcome, notably hung Parliament where post-election interparty negotiations may be required, 2010. substantially revised monarch's role appointment, marked contrast expansive Practice Queen's ‘reserve powers’ gridlock situations. welcome; version stated as, ‘The Sovereign will make decisions, must taken elected politicians’. However, some, reviewer, baulk him adding, Sovereign's prerogative right choose using her judgement remains possible wholly exceptional circumstances’. problem here is: does interpret ‘wholly circumstances’, more pertinently, might activist than Elizabeth II do, quite possibly King Charles III? For book’s conclusion, produced Draft Code largely consolidates existing practice, going into considerable detail. ‘What I suggest change nothing substance’, writes, ‘a very modest proposal’. He explains utility, associating it other codes emerging years such Cabinet Manual, ‘rationality, openness, help those affected by, interested in, subject-matter’. Its content ranges purely descriptive (‘A resign number reasons include: (a) illness, (b) retirement, (c) making way colleague’), clarification what know (‘Being deputy holder expectation she succeed Minister’), speculative (‘If person remain, become, after general loses seat it, could stay appointed obtained soon by-election’). That last suggestion hypothesised during 2019 campaign, since defending marginal 1924. hugely enjoyable read, essential reading anyone wishes understand theory realities power premiership Britain. King's College London. Robert Blackburn author Country: Monarchy Future III.