Iain Dale special: 300 years of the British Prime Minister | LBC

With Saturday marking 300 years since Sir Robert Walpole took the office that is now known as the Prime Minister, Iain Dale examined the role.

The office of Prime Minister is not established by any statute or constitutional document but exists only by long-established convention, whereby the reigning monarch appoints as Prime Minister the person most likely to command the confidence of the House of Commons
From Walpole to Johnson, via Disraeli, Gladstone, Churchill, Thatcher and more Iain looked at what made a good, a great or a bad Prime Minister.
When Sir Robert took office, he did not become the Prime Minister as we know it today but was instead made the First Lord of the Treasury of Great Britain in 1721.
With changes over the last 300 years to the role and responsibilities, Iain and his guests discussed the evolution to the modern British Prime Minister.

Joining Iain's expert panel were:

Sir Anthony Seldon, political commentator & contemporary historian and Author of new book 'The Impossible Office? The History of the British Prime Minister'
Sue Cameron, journalist & Commentator
Steve Richards, writer and broadcaster and author of 'The Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May'

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[customisedfitness]

The British Prime Minister on one hand has substantial authority but it is overpowered by the layers of checks & balances in place, making the job almost impossible to carry out effectively. The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure of his party, one vote of confidence and he or she is out.

[lauralishes]

Dominic Cummings was one of the worst.

[mariegetheridge]

Read the book and loved it Ian. Thanks.

[jasonsamuels]

PM Whitty has been a huge let down thus far i must say.

[lauralishes]

Can you imagine Americans not knowing who their first president was? We can't name the first PM without googling it, in fact we'd struggle naming many of them.

[uhegbu]

There have been female leaders around the world in the last three hundred years including the United Kingdom (twice in the last half century). It will be interesting as to how the public will respond with day to day issues like health and transport. I reckon pretty mixed, worst enemy or friendly neighbour. Being a leader of a country to me is like braving the storm, walking through water.

[craphead]

BJ.. Is the scuffiest PM in UK living memory.... Regards Tony

[Greenpoloboy]

And every single one of them has done their best for the British people, acting with integrity and honesty!! 😊🥰 x

[burkehare]

Yes Boris will be the last one as Scotland will gain its freedom