A group of MPs has asked the UK Government to outline its views on holding US-style presidential elections in Britain.
The Commons political and constitutional reform committee suggested that “accountability would be strengthened” by direct elections for the top job.
It admitted such a change would have far-reaching consequences, and was not likely in the “near future”.
However, the MPs have asked the Westminster government to put on record its position on the radical idea.
In a report published today, the committee said: “Such a move would create a very different political system in the United Kingdom, and could contribute to a clearer separation of powers.
“The prime minister would still need to command the support of the majority of members of parliament in the legislature in order to pass legislation.
“Although the prime minister is unlikely to be directly elected in the near future, we ask the government in its response to put on the record its position on allowing the people to elect directly the UK’s senior political figure.”
The report into the prime minister’s powers also found that they were “not well understood or defined”, and should be explained in law to make them “more transparent and increase accountability to parliament”.
Committee chairman Graham Allen said: “Our inquiry came up with some practical reforms for improving accountability, but we are also opening up discussion on some more radical reforms with the hope of provoking debate about how the role and powers of the Prime Minister should change in the years to come.”
The UK Government will issue a formal response to the committee’s report within about two months.