The British are widely admired for their sense of humour. They have the unique capacity to laugh at themselves. Even their most cherished and beloved are often the butt of jokes. The King — and before that, his mother, the Queen — is frequently mocked in good-natured humour. Their accent, their dress, their mannerisms and even their appearance are joked about. Not for a moment would they object. They know that the jests are proof of their popularity.

What is not so well known is how the British treat their politicians. They can be brutal. Consider what happens when a prime minister (PM) loses an election.

How UK PMs transition

It’s customarily held on a Thursday. By the early hours of Friday, the results are known. Around midday that morning, the defeated PM drives to Buckingham Palace to resign. He travels in the PM’s official car and enters by the main gate. Twenty minutes later, he departs. This time, he’s in a car offered by the Palace. Usually, he exits by a side gate. He’s now history, and the television........

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