Liz Truss & other British Prime Ministers who have served the shortest stints

Liz Truss resigned as Britain's Prime Minister after being in office for just 45 days. That is going to make her go down in history as Britain's shortest-serving prime minister, undone by her economic programme that sent shockwaves through the markets and divided her Conservative Party just six weeks after she was appointed.

Her tenure was so tenuous in recent days that it spawned a jokey online contest to see whether she would outlast a head of lettuce. The lettuce won.

Let's look at other British Prime Ministers who have served the shortest stints:


Liz Truss: 45 days, Conservative; took office Sept. 6, 2022 and resigned Oct. 20, 2022, with plans to remain in office until a replacement is named.

George Canning: 121 days; Tory; April 10, 1827-Aug. 8, 1827; died.

Frederick John Robinson, Viscount Goderich: 144 days; Tory; Aug 31, 1827-Jan.21, 1828; replaced.

Bonar Law: 210 days, Conservative; Oct. 23, 1922- May 20, 1923; resigned due to ill health.

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, Whig; 236 days, Nov. 6, 1756-June 29, 1757; replaced.

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne: 267 days; Whig; July 13, 1782-April 5, 1783; replaced.

(with agency inputs)