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The Conversation
The Conversation
Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

Prime ministers have always faced political scandals – so why can’t they weather them now?

David Cameron Tony Blair Gordon Brown John Major Margaret Thatcher Boris Johnson Liz Truss Sir Keir Starmer ​​Rishi Sunak Theresa May
Left to right: Altopix, Mark Reinstein, 360b, Frederick Legrand/Shutterstock

UK prime ministers today are about as secure in their jobs as football managers. In the nearly three decades between 1979 and 2005, Britain had just three prime ministers: Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair. From 2005-2015, we again had three: Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

But from then on we have had no less than six: Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and now Keir Starmer, currently fighting to retain his job and explaining to parliament why he supported Peter Mandelson for a key ambassadorship.

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