How to interpret this sentence?

Biuis   Mon May 21, 2007 1:49 am GMT
The key question in British politics was how long the prime minister could survive.
Does "how long the prime minister could survive" refer to the position of the prime minister or a particular person as the prime minister?
Guest   Mon May 21, 2007 1:54 am GMT
I would interpret it as referring to a particular officeholder. It it were the office itself, it would probably say "how long the office of prime minister could suvrive".