UK’s year of three prime ministers

2022 has been historic, politically, for the United Kingdom, yet will be most remembered for the sad passing of Elizabeth II, the nation’s longest ever serving monarch, after more than 70 years on the throne.

Politically, the year has seen remarkable governmental instability which may continue into 2023. The standout here was the three prime ministers occupying Downing Street in the second half of the year.

Historically, this is an exceptionally unusual phenomenon that was last seen in 1868. In that year, more than a century and a half ago, three of the titanic figures of 19th century UK politics held office: Edward Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby (still the longest-serving leader of the Conservative Party); Benjamin Disraeli (who played a central role in the creation of the modern Conservative Party); and William Ewart Gladstone (the then Liberal Party leader whose four non-consecutive terms in Downing Street are the most of any UK prime minister).