Resignation

[Marshmallowbrain]

Why do the prime ministers resign after the election? Wish they'd just get the sack because they've been shit at their job just like the general population would be.

Ehh? They would get the sack if they didn't resign, but then they'd get hammered for dragging the king into it. They resign to leave with dignity and to protect the integrity of the system (loser's consent).

But by losing the election they've effectively been given the heave ho, so basically they resign just to save face.

Well in effect they're redundant - so just resign

No, they resign to save the party from having to go through the procedure of having to sack them.

Do you mean resign from being leader of their party? If so, I imagine it's because it's really hard to stay on when your party has lost all confidence in your ability to be in charge and you've cost people their livelihoods. I just read that around 1,200 to 1,500 people will have lost their jobs in Westminster and across the hundreds of constituencies the Tories lost in because Sunak lost the election.

A PM actually refusing to leave office would actually cause a constitutional crisis - but very very unlikely to happen. Would in the end be sorted by the King - remember the PM is asked by the King "are you able to form a government" - a PM who has just lost the election can't.

Oh I thought OP meant why do they resign as PM. As in "I will shortly be seeing his majesty the king to offer my resignation as prime minister".

Also when the winning party leader (who is able to form a viable government) is asked to by the King and accepts they becomes PM, regardless of what any previous office holder may think! If an ex PM was refusing to leave the actually buildings of number 10 then the Cabinet Secretary (head of the civil service) would likely get the police to do it, on national security grounds if nothing else.

"Normal" people resign all the time to avoid being dismissed. It's not just something reserved for outgoing prime ministers.

I guess being sacked would mean loosing all benefits that came with the job (like in other jobs)… however as we know resigning means you keep your benefits (pensions etc)…. In the case of former PM’s they continue to be paid a rather hefty wage even after their days as PM have long ended!

You’re questioning why we have a dignified, professional and peaceful transfer of power?

the concession speeches, when they happened, were gracious and put the country before party. I’d like to think we could see a return to more respectful and less divisive politics in this country, rather than your punishing and shaming approach.