How is the UK Prime Minister chosen?

The Prime Minister of the UK is usually the leader of the political party that has secured the most seats in the House of Commons following a general election. When a general election is held, citizens vote for their local Members of Parliament (MPs). The party that wins the majority of these seats is invited to form a government, and convention dictates that the leader of that party becomes Prime Minister.

This process ensures that the Prime Minister has the support of the elected representatives in the House of Commons, reflecting the democratic will of the voters. Additionally, if no single party achieves an outright majority, there may be negotiations and coalitions formed, but the outcome still generally results in the leader of the majority party (or coalition) serving as Prime Minister. This method underscores the parliamentary system of governance in the UK, where the Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament, rather than being directly elected by the public.