Labour government, 1974–1979
In March 1976, having just turned sixty years old, Wilson resigned as Prime Minister, ending his leadership of the Labour Party after thirteen years, and a total of nearly eight years as Prime Minister. He was replaced by James Callaghan, who had held senior government positions during both of Wilson's ministries, and had served as a Shadow Cabinet member in the early-1960s.
Living prime ministers of the United Kingdom
There have been ten periods when six living current or former prime ministers co-existed, with the longest being a nine-year period beginning with the first appointment (1834) of Robert Peel. The most recent period was from the appointment (1990) of John Major and the death (1995) of Harold Wilson. There has been one period (1754) with no living prime minister, a period of ten days that spanned the death of Henry Pelham on 6 March and the appointment of the Duke of Newcastle.