Leader of the Unionist Party
| Leader of the Unionist Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Party leader |
| Status | Chief executive officer |
| Inaugural holder | The Earl of Devon |
| Formation | 1 May 2024 |
The Leader of the Unionist Party is the highest position in the Unionist Party. The current holder of the position is Josephine Carew, The Countess of Strathmore, who assumed the position on 9 February 2025.
From the party's formation until 27 May 2024, there was no formal process for electing a Leader and its inaugural holder, Lord Sidmouth, held the role de facto without contest, with the agreement of the Unionist Frontbench. [1] Following the adoption of the Party Charter during the Unionist's first conference in Brighton, Josephine Carew-Grey, 1st Baroness Wilton was the first Leader to be elected, though she ran unopposed. [2] She assumed the role on 27 June 2024.
When the Unionist Party is the leading parliamentary group in the House of Commons, the Leader of the Party serves as the Prime Minister of Great Britain and First Lord of the Treasury, as well as being responsible for giving binding advice to the Sovereign for the appointment of Ministers of the Crown. Concordantly, when the party is in opposition, the party leader serves as the Leader of the Opposition and Lord Treasurer-Depute, chairing the Shadow Cabinet.
As of 28 May 2024, Josephine Carew was the first and only woman elected party leader.
Selection Process
According to Section 1.3.1 of the Unionist Party Charter, the Party Leader is elected from amongst a list of Prospective Candidates, with the election run by the Chair of the Party.
Leaders of the Unionist Party
| Portrait | Leader | Constituency | Took office | Left office | Government | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Prime Minister | Term | ||||||
|
The Viscount Sidmouth | East Devon | 1 May 2024 (Founder) |
27 June 2024 | Unionist Party | Himself | Knightstone Premiership | |
|
The Baroness Wilton | Tavistock | 27 June 2024 (Elected) |
2 August 2024 | Herself | Wilton Premiership | ||
|
The Duke of Warwick | York Central | 2 August 2024 (Elected) |
4 October 2024 | Himself Lord Sidmouth |
Warwick Premiership First Sidmouth Premiership | ||
|
The Baron Calder | County Clare | 4 October 2024 (Elected) |
9 February 2025 | Himself The Duke of Somerset Lord Sidmouth Lord Durham |
Calder Premiership Third Somerset Premiership Second Sidmouth Premiership Durham Premiership | ||
|
|
The Countess of Strathmore | East Devon | 9 February 2025 (Elected) |
Incumbent | Lord Durham | Durham Premiership | ||
Elections of Unionist Leaders
| Date | Leader Elected | Location | Chair | Proposer | Seconder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2024 | Lady Knightstone | Grand Brighton Hotel (Party Conference) |
Lady Knightstone | The Baron Knightstone | August Carew-Grey |
| 1 August 2024 | The Duke of Warwick | Grand Brighton Hotel (Party Conference) |
The Baron Calder | The Baroness Wilton | The Baron Calder |
| 29 September 2024 | The Baron Calder | NEC Birmingham (Party Conference) |
The Baron Calder The Viscount Sidmouth |
The Duke of Warwick | The Viscount Sidmouth |
| 9 February 2025 | The Countess of Strathmore | Grand Hotel, Eastbourne (Party Conference) |
The Earl of Devon | The Earl of Devon | The Baron Calder |