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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Beth Ure

Liz Truss is shortest serving Prime Minister as others resigned, became ill or died

With Liz Truss' resignation she has become Britain's shortest serving Prime Minister with others behind her leaving the post due to serious illness or death

Truss had her first day in office 6 September following a weeks long leadership election, taking over the position from Boris Johnson. Now, 44 days later she has resigned from the top government job.

She replaces George Canning as Britain's shortest serving Prime Minister, who previously held the record after his stint as PM ended after 118 days back in 1827. Britain has had 55 different Prime Minister, and eight of them have held the job for less than a year.

In her resignation speech, Ms Truss said: "I recognise, though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative party."

These are the former Prime Ministers who outlasted Liz Truss.

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8. Alec Douglas-Home

Douglas-Home served as the UK's Prime Minister for just shy of year, holding the job 364 days. He served from October 1963 to October 1964 as Conservative Prime Minister.

He replaced Harold Macmillan, who resigned from his role as PM after the Profumo Scandal. He is best known for being the last Prime Minister to have a ministerial role while being a member of the House of Lords. He disclaimed his earldom four days after become PM.

7. 3rd Earl of Bute

John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Bute served as PM for 317 days way back in the 18th century. He held the role from 1762-1763, and was the first UK Prime Minister from Scotland.

Bute's ascension to the role was partially aided by his relationship with King George III, the reigning monarch at the time, having worked as his tutor since 1751.

6. 2nd Earl of Shelburne

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, served as prime minister from 1782 to 1783 during the final months of the American War of Independence. He held the position for 265 days.

Shelburne was forced to resign in 1783 due to strong pressure from his opposition from Lord North, who had served as Prime Minister before him.

5. 4th Duke of Devonshire

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, held the role of Prime Minister for 225 days, from November 1756 to May 1757. His administration was brought down, largely thought to be because of opposition from George II, the King at the time.

He was preceded by and replaced by the Duke of Newcastle.

4. Andrew Bonar Law

Andrew Bonar Law served as Prime Minister for 211 from 1922-23. He was born in New Brunswick, Canada, while it was still a British colony, and is the only Canadian to have served as PM.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1923 and resigned as PM when he was no longer able to physically speak in Parliament. He died later that same year.

3. 1st Viscount Goderich

F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, replaced George Canning as Prime Minister in 1827. He served for 143 days when he was chosen by King George IV to replace Canning.

Goderich led a coalition government, but faced large strain in attempting to balance his cabinet in terms of Whigs and Tories (the two main political parties at the time). He was replaced by the Duke of Wellington who led a Tory government.

2. George Canning

Canning had held the record for shortest serving Prime Minister since 1827 when he passed away in office. He served as PM for the final 118 days of his life.

Canning replaced the Earl of Liverpool, who was forced to resign as PM after suffering a severe stroke. Canning had been his Chancellor of the Exchequer and right-hand man, making him the obvious choice.

1. Liz Truss

Truss, having served just 44 days as Prime Minister, is now Britain's shortest serving PM. Her short tenure in government has been rife with economic turmoil, along with the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

She has confirmed that her replacement will be chosen within weeks.

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