How has the non electoral appointment of Gordon Brown damaged the democratic power of the UK constitution?
The uncodified constitution of the UK is made up of 5 elements: *Statute law *Common law *Political convention *EU law *Several authoritative works The position of Prime Minister has never been created in statute or common law. It is a position created by convention as the leader of the majority party. This is why the PM also holds the office of First Lord of the Treasury because it gives him an actual official position to hold. Granted the PM receives a yearly salary and is this recognised and is even mentioned in some Acts of Parliament but he is not elected by the British electorate. In fact he is only elected by the several thousand members of his constituency (currently the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath with a 2005 turnout of 41,796). The PM is the leader of the governing party, currently the Labour Party and it is their role and duty to choose their leader when the vacancy arises. When Tony Blair stood down in 2007 Labour had the chance to vote for a new leader however only Gordon Br
None whatsoever – the UK constitution allows the head of the majority party in the house of commons to be prime minister. Gordon Brown is the leader of the labour party and therefore prime minister. This is not a new thing and has happen several time in history, the most recent being John Major who became leader of the Conservative party following Maggie Thatchers resignation in Nov 1990, he didnt call a general election until May 1992. This is exactly the same as Gordon Brown is doing now.
No, because former PMs have also been appointed without a preceding General Election. The important point is that the PM can command a majority of the House of Commons. This Gordon Brown can do. Ergo, he is the legimate Prime Minister. There is, has never been, and never should be, a requirement for an election whenever there is a change of PM. Only when a PM is unable to command a majority of the House of Commons, or at the Queen’s Prerogative (upon request by Her PM), should an election be called.
