The UK is remarkable for its quick changeovers in government. In the US, for example, the 2024 Presidential will take place on 5 November, but the presidential inauguration will not take place until 20 January 2025. In the UK, if there is a change of Prime Minister, they will be appointed the day after the General Election.
The outgoing Prime Minister, once the result becomes clear, goes to the monarch to tender their resignation, and recommends the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition, who is then sent for and appointed Prime Minister.
Leaving Downing Street
Typically, the outgoing premier leaves No.10 Downing Street, their official residence, applauded by staff. The same staff applaud the new Prime Minister when they enter the building for the first time. They can then start appointing ministers, starting with the big appointments, and followed by the more minor ones.
Alongside the quick turnover in prime ministers, there is a remarkable continuity of staff. Although prime ministers bring a team with them in the form of appointments such as special advisers, a number of senior civil servants also remain in their posts to support the new government with the same loyalty that they provided to the old government.
The only exception to this rule of a quick turnover is when the general election is inconclusive, and there have to be negotiations around the formation of a new government, as happened in 2010 and 2017. In 2010, the Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, eventually resigned, to be replaced by David Cameron, the Conservative leader, who formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. However, a ‘hung’ Parliament, as they are known, seems unlikely this time.
The King's Speech
Meanwhile, in Parliament, newly elected MPs will be sworn in, the Speaker elected, followed by the King’s speech on 17 July, which will set out the legislative programme of the (new) government. MPs of different parties will respond to this speech, including a first speech by the new Prime Minister (assuming there is a new Prime Minister).
The leader of the main losing party will probably be considering their position at this point. If and when they choose to leave, a leadership contest will follow – potentially a divisive episode for the party. Everyone will be exhausted by this point, and hoping for a summer break. How much of this the Prime Minister will want to allow them will be seen. A further landmark in the political calendar will be the party conferences in autumn, which will provide opportunities for celebration or post-mortem.