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Should there be a general election if the Prime Minister changes?

3rd - 10th July 2026

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27931

Total votes

7908

5-11 votes

20023

11-16+ votes

Following the announcement of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, Britain will soon have its seventh prime minister in 10 years. Many young people’s entire political memory will be one of leadership contests and short-lived premierships. Our times often feel politically uncertain. Some commentators declare the death of the traditional two main parties, others despair at the rise of populism both on our shores and abroad. Our own voters argued that the UK was a divided nation, primarily when it came to political issues. Previous VoteTopics have revealed a clear scepticism of the Government, and the Prime Minister in particular, amongst some of our young people. What do they make of the news of his resignation? Do they think they should have a say on who will replace him as leader of His Majesty’s Government?

This week's questions were:

Primary 5-7: Is it easy to be a leader?

Primary 7-11: Is it easy to be Prime Minister of the UK?

Secondary, 16+ & College: Should there be a general election if the Prime Minister changes?

Age 5-11 voter

It is not easy to be a prime minister and we don't know how they do it. There is so much responsibility and they have to do a lot of work and it must be very, very hard.

Age 11-16 voter

Age 11-16 voter

Our democratic system is NOT a direct vote for PM so GE is unecessary!

Age 11-16 voter

Age 11-16 voter

The new prime minister should be unafraid to run a general election. If they are that insecure about losing, they shouldn't be prime minister.

85% of 7-11-year olds voted that it was not easy to be prime minister of the UK.

  • Most voters focused on the immense pressure one would face in the role.
  • They argued that there were difficult decisions to be made as PM and that they could have potential negative fallout from the public (including threats and violence).
  • Many thought that negative media coverage would make the role difficult and that one would have little time to rest or to see one's family.
  • A minority thought it would be easy and referenced the perks of the job, such as free accomodation in 10 Downing Street and the use of a private plane!
70.8% of Secondary voters thought that a prime minister's resignation should trigger a general election.

  • Many voters argued that the public should decide who led the country.
  • Some appreciated the immense cost of holding a general election and said it was not worth the expense.
  • Others made a nuanced case that, if nearing the end of a government anyway, then maybe a general election should be held.
Similarly, 16+ & College students were split 50/50 on the same question.

  • The most comon argument from 'Yes' voters was that the general public had a right to choose their own leader.
  • They thought it was unfair for a small number of MPs to select a leader for the entire country.
  • Some counterargued by saying that our electoral system is about voting for a party, rather than an individual, so the leader should not matter.
  • Others disagreed and thought they would prefer to be able to vote for an individual.
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