Prime Minister (Temporary Replacement) Bill

A Bill to make provision for the carrying out of the functions of the Prime Minister in the event that a Prime Minister, or a person temporarily carrying out the functions of the Prime Minister, is incapacitated; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

2 November 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would establish a formal arrangement for appointing someone to act as Prime Minister when the current PM cannot perform duties due to illness or other incapacity. It would specify who can act, for how long, and how government business continues until normal leadership resumes, with safeguards to keep Parliament informed.

Key Points

Creates a formal Acting Prime Minister role and a clear trigger for activation when the Prime Minister is incapacitated.
Sets the scope and limits of the Acting Prime Minister’s powers and the process to return to normal leadership.
Introduces accountability measures, including reporting to Parliament and continuity safeguards to protect government function.

Who is affected?

Prime Minister and any person temporarily carrying out the functions of the Prime MinisterDeputy Prime Minister and Cabinet ministersCivil service and government departmentsParliament and the electorate

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Prime Minister (Temporary Replacement) Bill

23 Jun 2022

Order for Second Reading on Friday 28 October, read and discharged. The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Prime Minister (Temporary Replacement) Bill | TrackPolitics