Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as to the absence of a formal post of Deputy Prime Minister in Britain's uncodified constitution. Theoretically the sovereign possesses the unrestricted right to choose someone to form a government following the death, resignation or dismissal of a Prime Minister. One argument made to justify the non-existence of a permanent deputy premiership is that such an office-holder would be seen as possessing a presumption of succession to the premiership, thereby effectively limiting the sovereign's right to choose a prime minister. However, only two Deputy Prime Ministers have gone on to become Prime Minister. Clement Attlee won the 1945 general election
Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations The Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations was a ministerial post in the Government of the United Kingdom from 1947 until 1966. The holder was responsible for assisting the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in dealing with British relationships with members of the Commonwealth of Nations (its former colonies). After 1966 the post was merged with the Minister of State for the Colonies and became the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs. "Arthur Henderson held the post for less than two months before the position was abolished. It was then recreated in 1959."