While constitutional conventions “are not enforced by the law courts”, this pretty much allows any unelected official to hold the role of Prime Minister.
We need to respect the law, including constitutional conventions.
While constitutional conventions “are not enforced by the law courts”, this pretty much allows any unelected official to hold the role of Prime Minister.
We need to respect the law, including constitutional conventions.
Conventions are conveniences. There is no law against a seatless PM. The overriding requirement (again for practical conveniences sake) is that the PM command the confidence of a majority of the house. As it is more damaging to the conduct of business to have a non-functioning Commons than it is to have a non-member PM, the latter is preferable. By convention the PM then seeks election to a seat either by general or by-election.
Not a precedent. This has happened quite a few times before.