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OK, so now being asked a lot about PM resignations and advice to the Queen. Not going to go back over all the complications of this, just set out what the Cabinet Manual says.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
Para 2.8
"...If the Prime Minister resigns on behalf of the Government, the Sovereign will invite the person who appears most likely to be able to command the confidence of the House to serve as Prime Minister and to form a government."
"...If the Prime Minister resigns on behalf of the Government, the Sovereign will invite the person who appears most likely to be able to command the confidence of the House to serve as Prime Minister and to form a government."
So in case of outgoing minority PM resigning, for whatever reason, key is who the Queen then turns to. The bit that leads to MANY discussions is the 'most likely to be able to command the confidence of the House'. Tricky without a formal process to prove it.
At the moment it is a complicated mix of factors (including seat share), but para 2.9 is also relevant.... the advice of the outgoing PM.
In July, May was able to both advise HM to call Johnson, but also Johnson had working majority.
In July, May was able to both advise HM to call Johnson, but also Johnson had working majority.
Para 2.9 talks about need to keep Queen out of it.
'if there is doubt it is the responsibility of those involved in the political process, and in particular the parties represented in Parliament, to seek to determine and communicate clearly to the Sovereign who is best placed..'
'if there is doubt it is the responsibility of those involved in the political process, and in particular the parties represented in Parliament, to seek to determine and communicate clearly to the Sovereign who is best placed..'
There is also an special responsibility on the outgoing PM.
'As the Crown’s principal adviser this
responsibility falls especially on the
incumbent Prime Minister, who... may also be asked by the Sovereign for a recommendation'
'As the Crown’s principal adviser this
responsibility falls especially on the
incumbent Prime Minister, who... may also be asked by the Sovereign for a recommendation'
2.10 gets a bit complicated. First it says that 'application of these principles depends on the specific circumstances'.
But it also talks about more recent expectation that a PM not resign until a successor is clear
But it also talks about more recent expectation that a PM not resign until a successor is clear
The question of whether a PM must wait was an issue in 2010 and has been queried. Likewise the questions of how much the Queen must adhere to her outgoing PM's advice, or even if he has to advice.
So all clear?
So all clear?
I haven't gone into the fact that of course, whoever she calls might decline an invitation to form a government, and many have. There is special onus on Leader of Opp - comes with job.
More on all this in this thread
