The term First Minister refers to the leader of a cabinet.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the term First Minister was once used interchangeably with Prime Minister, as in Winston Churchill's famous line: "I did not become Her Majesty's First Minister so that I might oversee the liquidation of the British Empire!"

Nowadays, the term is used to describe the leader of the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. See

• First Minister of Northern Ireland
• First Minister of Scotland
• First Minister of Wales

Canada

See also: premier (Canada)

In Canada, First Ministers is a collective term that refers to all Canadian Heads of Government, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the provincial and territorial premiers. It is used in such formulae as "first ministers' meetings."

Other

The title First Minister may be used to refer to the political leader of a subnational entity or a dependent territory. George Price held the office of First Minister of Belize between 1961 and 1964, when the title was changed to Premier. In Germany, the first minister in the federal states is known as the Minister-Präsident.

See also

• Chief Minister
• First Secretary

Government occupations

Gweinidog Cyntaf | Erster Minister | First Minister | Førsteminister