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Explained in plain English

How does someone become Prime Minister?

To become Prime Minister, a party leader usually needs to win a general election and secure a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The monarch then formally invites them to form a government. Andy Burnham would need to lead the Labour Party to such a victory.

Stories that explain this

Andy Burnham considers David Miliband for foreign secretary

Questions this opens up

What is a general election? What is the House of Commons? What does the monarch do?

Related explainers

What is a constituency? Who is David Miliband? What is foreign policy? What is a Foreign Secretary? What is a 'leadership challenge'? How do MPs vote? What is a safe seat? Who is Pakistan's Prime Minister?

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