Prime Minister

[Martin8]

Who was the last British Prime Minister who never fought a general election as PM?

[delboy3]

Anthony Eden?

[Martin8]

I think he called and won the 1955 election soon after he became PM.
The question occurred to me because it seems possible that Gordon Brown may be out of office without ever leading his party into a general election and I was wondering when this had happened before.

[buildersmate]

Wishful thinking.
It's not over 'til the fat lady sings.

[New Judge]

Following the general election of 1935 Stanley Baldwin became Prime Minister. He resigned in May 1937 following the abdication of King Edward VIII. Neville Chamberlain was appointed Prime Minister by the newly crowned King George VI.

The General Election due in 1940 was cancelled due to the war. However, Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister in May 1940 following a number of debacles early in WW2 which led to pressure for his resignation in the Commons. Winston Churchill then led the country�s wartime all-party government and was Prime Minister when the next General Election was held in 1945.

Sir Anthony Eden did indeed face the country shortly after taking over from Winston Churchill in 1955 (they did things differently in those days!). His party was returned to power with an increased majority of 59 seats.

[Tichfield]

Not Baldwin.

Baldwin first term as PM was from 23 May 1923 � 16 January 1924.

There was a General Election held on 6 December 1923.

[New Judge]

I didn't say Baldwin, Titchfield. I mentioned him only to set the scene for Neville Chamberlain. He was appointed Prime Minister without a General Election and resigned before the next one was held.

Hence Neville Chamberlain was the last Prime Minsiter who never fought a General Election as PM.

[Martin8]

Thanks for answering the question. :-)