The 5 Longest Serving British Prime Ministers

A look at the five longest serving British Prime Ministers in history.

Unlike the US there is no maximum term of office for a UK Prime Minister, they could hypothetically remain prime minister until they die, just so long as their party maintains a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The maximum length of time between elections is five years, but the ruling party may call an election at any time before this.

In modern times a parliamentary election has generally been called once every four years, like America, although the last general election in May 2010 was the first in almost five years. But the absence of a restriction on the term of office has not necessarily always seen British prime ministers serve for longer than American presidents. This article takes a look at the five longest serving British prime ministers.

1. Sir Robert Walpole (20 years)

Walpole isn't technically a Prime Minister as he held the role defacto, but is still widely regarded as being the first British Prime Minister. Walpole was a Whig, a party with great support from wealthy merchants and industrial leaders. Their rivals were the Tory party who were supported by the Royal Family and the rich landowners. Their policies were to at one stage include the abolition of slavery and free trade. Sir Robert Walpole was in office for almost 21 years, between 4 April 1721 – 11 February 1742. He resigned following the hugely unsuccessful Battle of Cartagena which saw the British amass unprecedented levels of casualties at sea against the Spanish.

2. William Pitt the Younger (17 years)

The second longest serving Prime Minister in history is William Pitt the Younger, so called to distinguish himself from his father William Pitt the Older who had also served briefly as the Prime Minister. Pitt was often referred to, and has in recent times been referred to, as a Tory. He rejected this label however and instead described himself as an independent Whig. Pitt's ministerial tenure included several major events including the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars. He was in office for precisely 17 years and 85 years, stepping down on 14 March 1801.

3. Robert Banks Jenkinson (14 years)

The third longest serving British Prime Minister in history is Robert Banks Jenkinson, a Tory who served for 14 years 305 days between 8 June 1812 – 9 April 1827. He became known for deeply repressive measures which were used to maintain order. He died soon in 1828, the year after his reign came to an end.

Robert Banks Jenkinson

4. Lord North (12 years)

Lord North was the Prime Minister between 1770 to 1782, and was also a Tory. He is perhaps most noted for leading the country to success after a Spanish attempt to capture the Falkland Islands and being in power for most of the duration of the American Revolutionary War. He was the first Prime Minister to be forced out of office following a vote of no confidence after the British defeat at Yorktown in 1781.

5. Margaret Thatcher

The only person from the past century to make the list is Margaret Thatcher, the first and as of yet only female Prime Minister. Thatcher, a staunch political ally of Ronald Reagan, was in office for over 11 years between 4 May 1979 – 28 November 1990. She will be noted internationally for aligning her views on communism with those of Reagan and for her persistence in the Falklands War. Thatcher resigned at the end of 1990 as a result of growing discontent within the Tory party and with the country in a poor positional economically.

Margaret Thatcher


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