Ending in Failure? The Performance of ‘Takeover’ Prime Ministers 1916-2016

11 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2017 Last revised: 6 Sep 2022

See all articles by Ben Worthy

Ben Worthy

University of London - Birkbeck College

Date Written: November 17, 2016

Abstract

When Theresa May became Prime Minister in July 2016 she joined 11 previous takeover leaders in the last 100 years. While the popular image is of Prime Ministers arriving in power after a General Election victory, more than half of the Prime Ministers who governed since 1916 have arrived as ‘takeover’ leaders through an internal party process. This article analyses how takeovers perform, concluding that May is likely to face greater obstacles and fewer advantages than if she was elected. Takeovers have less time in power, less chance of winning elections and are generally rated as worse performing.

Keywords: Prime Minister, UK, performance, longevity

Suggested Citation

Worthy, Ben, Ending in Failure? The Performance of ‘Takeover’ Prime Ministers 1916-2016 (November 17, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2904948 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2904948

Ben Worthy (Contact Author)

University of London - Birkbeck College ( email )

Malet Street
London, WC1E 7HX
United Kingdom

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