Prime Factors - Ranking UK Prime Ministers

Joe & Abram
  • 5.0 (8)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Prime Factors where we review each UK Prime Minister from Robert Walpole to Keir Starmer. We discuss their biography, highs and lows, and then rate them on a scale designed by a 10-year old before awarding the ultimate prize: Are they ”Known” or an ”Ice Cream Cone”?

  1. 11.0 - Britain in 1770 (The Story So Far...)

    FEB 9

    11.0 - Britain in 1770 (The Story So Far...)

    By 1770, Britain is a restless empire—troubled at home, strained abroad, and on the brink of a new era. In this special episode, we trace the leaders and events that shaped British politics over the past fifty years: from Robert Walpole’s "notorious corruption" to Henry Pelham’s steady hand, and the uneasy balance between King George III, Parliament, and this new thing called "Prime Minister". The empire had doubled in size in a generation, but with a spark about to ignite in snowy Boston that will change everything. New to Prime Factors? This is the perfect place to start as we begin our journey into the era of Lord North and the American Revolution. Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    45 min
  2. 10.2 - Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (Part 2)

    JAN 19

    10.2 - Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (Part 2)

    Britain is in crisis: Rioters in London scream "Wilkes and Liberty!", while the French threaten to take Corsica from the British-backed rebels. The conservative Bedford faction gains ground in Parliament, while Junius savages the administration with his wisdom and wit. Where is Prime Minister Grafton? Has anyone seen our Prime Minister? (He's probably off with his mistress.)   Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    51 min
  3. 10.1 - Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (Part 1)

    JAN 6

    10.1 - Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (Part 1)

    Descended from an illegitimate son of Charles II, the Grafton clan seemed to embrace the ignominy, leading lives rocked in equal parts by political power and scandal. Augustus Fitzroy led a comfortable life filled with horses, hunting, and... women, but when duty called, could he put aside his family's proclivities to be the leader that Britain desperately needed? Thanks to our fantastic podcasting friends who contributed to this episode's "Picture This" segment: John and Rob from Prime Time, Rob from Totalus Rankium, and Kassidy from YouTube. A friend of the show, Adam, also provided some incidental music. Also includes a trailer for the Alexander Standard podcast. Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    1 hr
  4. 9.3 - William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham (Part 3)

    12/07/2025

    9.3 - William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham (Part 3)

    The Seven Years' War bought Britain an empire but at a staggering price. The Americans cried out "No Taxation Without Representation!" even as Britain struggled to pay to maintain her new territory. Grenville and Rockingham's missteps had pushed the colonists to the brink. It would take a true man of the people, a "Great Commoner", like William Pitt to restore calm. If only his gout wasn't acting up... Part Three in our trilogy on William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham.  -- "The Death of the Earl of Chatham" painting by John Singleton Copley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_the_Earl_of_Chatham   Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    1h 6m
  5. 9.2 - William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham (Part 2)

    11/17/2025

    9.2 - William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham (Part 2)

    "My Lord, I am sure I can save this country, and no one else can." Britain was losing the Seven Years War and the Duke of Newcastle seemed powerless to stop it. William Pitt had been drummed out of government once, but the mobs in the street still cried out his name. No one had more faith in his abilities than Pitt himself, but could the Great Commoner turn the tide and deliver the British Empire to its greatest victories? Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    56 min
  6. Italian Unification - Part 2 (Feat. Marco Cappelli of Storia d'Italia)

    10/27/2025

    Italian Unification - Part 2 (Feat. Marco Cappelli of Storia d'Italia)

    At Cavour's death, the dream of a united Italy was still incomplete: Rome and Venice remained outside the newly formed Italian Kingdom. Garibaldi cried out for Rome, but it would take the rise of one empire and the fall of another before the ancient Aurelian walls fell and Italy was whole once again.  Featuring Marco Cappelli from Storia d'Italia as our special guest co-host! Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    1h 21m
  7. Italy Special - Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (Italy's First Prime Minister & Italian Unification)

    08/24/2025

    Italy Special - Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (Italy's First Prime Minister & Italian Unification)

    Italy was a divided nation, a pawn in the machinations of empires. Camillo Benso, the Count of Cavour, dreamed of a day when Italy could take its place among the nations of the world. As a journalist, Cavour fought for a constitution and parliament. As a statesman, he needed all his cunning (and a little luck) to make friends, scheme with emperors, and pull the disparate parts of Italy together... by force, if necessary. Recorded on location (and vacation!) in Aosta and Venice, in Italy. Our cover art is the Cavour lego mural in his ancestral home of Santena, Italy, which we visited. Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    1h 30m
  8. 9.1B - Smuggling the Pitt Diamond (Bonus Scene)

    08/05/2025

    9.1B - Smuggling the Pitt Diamond (Bonus Scene)

    From the depths of the Kollur Mine to the apex of the French crown, the Pitt Diamond (later known as the Regent Diamond) is either the story of a great British adventure, or a terrible Indian tragedy. We retell this story briefly in a bonus scene from William Pitt, Part 1.  Join the Discussion: We want to hear your ranking! Find us on BlueSky at @primefactorspod.bsky.social Support the Show: If you enjoyed our show, please leave us a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps others find us and makes Abram very excited.

    7 min
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5
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About

Welcome to Prime Factors where we review each UK Prime Minister from Robert Walpole to Keir Starmer. We discuss their biography, highs and lows, and then rate them on a scale designed by a 10-year old before awarding the ultimate prize: Are they ”Known” or an ”Ice Cream Cone”?

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