The prime minister and the cabinet are the core executive
The post of prime minister was never formally set up, unlike the US president
The role of prime minister emerged as opposed to being formally created
Robert Walpole
First generally recognised holder of the title of prime minister and longest serving
Robert Walpole's role
1. Appointed first lord of the treasury
2. Appointed chancellor of the exchequer
3. Appointed leader of the House of Commons
The term 'prime minister' was not widely used at the time, but this was Walpole's effective position until 1742
Walpole's fall from power came when he lost a vote of no confidence in parliament
The prime minister is formally chosen by the monarch, but must always ultimately command majority support in parliament
Definition of the office of prime minister by Herbert Asquith
One of those constitutional practices that rested on usage, custom, convention, often of slow growth in their early stages, not always uniform, but which in the course of time received universal observance and respect
Only in more recent times (1992) did a full codified guide, the Ministerial Code, appear, which sets out the duties and expectations of the prime minister and government ministers
