Where does the Prime Minister live?

The Prime Minister's official residence is 10 Downing Street in London. Chequers is the PM's country residence.

Who was the first female Prime Minister?

Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister, serving from 1979 to 1990.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet: Life in the UK Test Facts

Key facts

Role: Head of government
Residence: 10 Downing Street
First PM: Sir Robert Walpole
First female PM: Margaret Thatcher (1979)
Accountable to: Parliament

The Prime Minister (PM) is the head of the UK government and the leader of the political party with the majority in the House of Commons.

Role of the Prime Minister

Powers and Responsibilities

Leads the government and sets policy direction
Chairs Cabinet meetings
Appoints and dismisses ministers
Represents the UK at international meetings
Answers questions in Parliament (PMQs)
Advises the King on appointments
Commands the armed forces (with Parliament)

Residence

10 Downing Street - Official London residence and office
Chequers - Country residence in Buckinghamshire

How Someone Becomes Prime Minister

1Lead a political party - Usually the Conservative or Labour Party
2Win a general election - The party wins the most seats
3Be invited by the King - To form a government
4There is no direct election for Prime Minister

Notable Prime Ministers

Sir Robert Walpole (1721-1742) - First Prime Minister
Winston Churchill (1940-1945, 1951-1955) - WWII leader
Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) - First female PM
Tony Blair (1997-2007) - Labour's longest-serving PM

Accountability

The PM is accountable to:

Parliament - Must answer questions and can face votes of no confidence
The public - Through elections
The Cabinet - Ministers can resign or rebel

Why it comes up in the test

Know the PM's role, residence (10 Downing Street), and notable PMs.

Common traps

Thinking the PM is directly elected
Confusing the PM with the head of state (the King)
Not knowing 10 Downing Street

The Prime Minister: common questions

The PM is the leader of the party with the most MPs. After a general election, the King invites the party leader to form a government.

Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.