On 20 October, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister, just 44 days into the role. She is now the shortest serving PM in British history. The Conservative Party aim to find Truss’ successor within the next week. They will be the third Prime Minister this year, something unprecedented in modern times.
But when has this happened before in British history?
1782
In 1781, British forces suffered their worst ever defeat at sea and on land in the Battle of Yorktown. The PM at the time, Lord North, groans “it’s all over”. In March 1782, Lord Rockingham took the position. But it was short lived, as he died from influenza just 3 months after becoming PM. Lord Shelburne replaced him in July, albeit lasting just a year.
1827
George Canning replaced Lord Liverpool as Prime Minister on 10 April 1827 and set about forming a coalition with the Whigs under Lord Lansdowne. After a mere 119 days in office, Canning died suddenly from pneumonia. Canning is now the second shortest tenure ever to have completed their period in office; Lord Goderich replaced him.
1834
1834 was another turbulent year, during which there were possibly four Prime Ministers. Lord Grey held office until July 1934, with Lord Melbourne replacing him until November 1834. It would seem that Lord Wellington took the position of Prime Minister on 17 November, but it was unclear if he held the title as he refused the King’s request. Instead, Wellington acted as interim leader for three weeks until the reluctantly-appointed Sir Peel returned from Italy.
1852
1852 was the year where Lord Russell, Lord Derby and Lord Aberdeen all took the position of Prime Minister at some stage. There was political unrest with the Irish Famine and the repeal of the Corn Laws which irrevocably split the Tory party, so Aberdeen ultimately took over.
1886
The year of 1886 technically counts as having three Prime Ministers: Lord Salisbury’s first term was cut short with a general election. He was replaced by Lord Gladstone, who quickly impaled himself on the question of Ireland. Finally, Salisbury returned to the post. His second administration was much stronger, benefitting from the Liberals’ internal strife.
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