Prime Minister of New Ingerland

Prime Minister of New Ingerland
Incumbent Matthew Jones since 11 March 2012
Style	The Right Honourable
Residence	Wheeler House
Appointer	Geoffrey VII as The Sovereign
Inaugural	Sir Vincent Churchwell
Formation	1 October 1907
Deputy	Sebastian Vincent
Salary	£12,134 (1st)

The Prime Minister of New Ingerland is the head of the government and is the individual responsible for the policy and decisions of that government. As head of the government the Prime Minister also oversees the operation of the New Ingerland Civil Service and other government entities, recommends the appointment of members of the Executive Council, and is the principal government figure in the House of Assembly.

The current Prime Minister, Matthew Jones came to power after the 2012 election. Jones is the 23rd person to serve as Prime Minister of New Ingerland since independence in 1907.

Qualification

The Prime Minister may be any New Ingerland subject of voting age (over the age of 21) who is a sitting member of the House of Assembly. Under the provisions of the Constitution of New Ingerland the Prime Minister formally holds the office of President of the Executive Council, and is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Sovereign. However, if a Prime Minister is removed as leader of his party, or if he loses a vote of no-confidence in the House of Assembly, he must resign the office or face being dismissed from office by the Sovereign. Additionally, a Prime Minister that loses his seat in the Assembly is obliged by convention to immediately resign his commission.

Function and powers

Further information: Cabinet of New Ingerland

The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet of New Ingerland and plays a leading role in the determination of government business before the House of Assembly. The Prime Minister also acts as the face of the government, and is ultimately responsible for the fate of his or her government at an election. The Prime Minister plays a prominent role in most legislation passed by the Parliament. As the leading government figure, the remuneration for the Prime Minister is the highest of any elected official in New Ingerland. The vast majority of legislation originates in the Cabinet, largely from the ranks of his or her party's Senators and MHAs. The Cabinet must have unanimous consent on all decisions they make.

The Prime Minister is assisted in his day to day administration of the government by two critically important, yet separate, offices. The coordinative functions of government are carried out by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is a part of the Civil Service and is therefore apolitical. The political and policy functions of the job are carried out the Executive Office of the Prime Minister, which employs the party political advisors and advocates to the Prime Minister.

Former Prime Ministers

Further information: List of Prime Ministers of New Ingerland

To date, there have been 39 Prime Ministers of New Ingerland. The longest serving Prime Minister was Sir Donald Burleigh (later the Earl Burleigh), who served for 16 years, 8 months, and 30 days. Two Prime Ministers have died in office. Vincent Churchwell, New Ingerland's first Prime Minister, died in November 1908 after serving just over a year in office. Phillip Corbett died in August 1984 after just 4 months and 24 days in office, making him the shortest serving elected Prime Minister. Corbett's successor, Cassandra Yee, was sworn in as Prime Minister until the National Party could elect a new leader. Yee served for seventeen days, which remains the shortest term of a Prime Minister so far.

There is no official role for an outgoing Prime Minister, and it is largely a personal matter as to what they do when the leave office. Some choose to remain in Parliament to act as an elder statesman to the new generation of politicians in their respective parties, whilst other depart as is convenient and seek a new career outside politics.

Official residences

The official residence of the Prime Minister is Wheeler House, next to Parliament House in the Kingsbury City Centre. Wheeler House was constructed in the 1860s to serve as the office and residence of the Ingerish Resident. When that post was abolished in 1907, the house was turned over the Prime Minister for his use.

There is also a country residence for the Prime Minister, known as Sinclair House. It is located near Wellingrove in the West Riding of Centralia. As well as serving as a weekend and summer retreat for the Prime Minister, the country residence is often used as a place for meetings between the Prime Minister and overseas dignitaries visiting New Ingerland.

Living former Prime Ministers

There are presently seven living former Prime Ministers:

• The Lord Olsen (1975)
• The Countess Davidson (1980-1984, 1986-1992)
• The Baroness Yee (1984)
• The Baroness Gates (1984-1986)
• The Viscount Tudor (1992-2000)
• The Lord Howlett of Stanhill (2000-2004)
• The Viscount Goodwin (2004-2012)

See also

• President of the Executive Council
• Keeper of the Great Seal of New Ingerland