Shortest term of British PM
The record of the shortest term in office depends on the criteria used.
Arguably, the shortest-ever period was only two days (10–12 February 1746), a record held by
Lord Bath (William Pulteney), who was asked to form a government but was unable to find more than one person who would agree to serve in his cabinet. A satirist of the time wrote: "the minister to the astonishment of all wise men never transacted one rash thing; and, what is more marvellous, left as much money in the Treasury as he found in it."
James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave was a prime minister for four days, 8–12 June 1757. However, since neither of these earls actually formed an effective government, there are other contenders for the record of shortest term of office among those who actually governed the country.
In November 1834, the
Duke of Wellington declined to become prime minister in favour of Sir
Robert Peel but formed a "caretaker" administration for 25 days (17 November–9 December 1834) while Peel returned from Europe. However, being a caretaker administration, this might not necessarily be considered a term of office in its own right.
Of those with clear terms, the prime minister with the total shortest period in office is
Liz Truss, whose term will last between 44 and 51 days from 6 September 2022 until her resignation on the selection of a successor, expected within one week of 20 October 2022. Previously, this record was held by
George Canning, whose sole term lasted 119 days, from 12 April 1827 until his death on 8 August 1827.
en.m.wikipedia.org