Great Offices of State

four most prestigious posts of the British government

The Great Offices of State are the four most important cabinet jobs in the United Kingdom.

Only one person has ever held all four, James Callaghan, who was Prime Minister from 1976 to 1979.

The four posts are

  1. Prime Minister
  2. Chancellor of the Exchequer
  3. Foreign Secretary
  4. Home Secretary


The King asks the Prime Minister to form a Government following a General Election. The Party who has the Majority in the House of Commons is usually asked to form.

The Chancellor, Foreign and Home Secretary are also appointed by the King. These are on the advice of the Prime Minister. Its more of a formality for the King to appoint as the decision is taken by the Prime Minister. This is the same for the other Cabinet Ministers. [1][2]

References change

  1. McKie, David (28 March 2005). "Lord Callaghan". politics.guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian Unlimited. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2008. He had held all four of the great offices of state
  2. Eason, Gary (27 March 2005). "Callaghan's great education debate". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2010.