A system by which appointments or awards are made in rotation rather than by merit.
〈英，非正式〉（不按功绩的）轮流坐庄；轮流任职
Example sentencesExamples
They are neither elected nor appointed, but persuaded to accept office by their predecessors, rather like what the English call “Buggins' Turn.” Meetings are held twice or three times a year in the home of the kaicho, whose wife is expected to provide snacks and sometimes drinks.
Instead of waiting for Buggins' turn, when our business case comes to the top of the pile, we would be able, as a foundation trust, to borrow to get on with it.
I can't imagine anyone of my age - 24 - wanting to wait for Buggins' turn as a backbencher under a cabinet system.
The same situation is true of the attempt to keep the position of vice-president, because it will be far too easy, even subconsciously, to slip back into the old habit of Buggins' turn, if the post of VP is retained.
Strangely enough the Fairer Ipswich Policy does not specifically mention the post of Mayor, however I think most people would agree that choosing the Mayor on the basis of purely of length of service, on the Buggins-turn principle if you will, is the exact antithesis of fairness
Origin
Early 20th century: from Buggins, used to represent a typical surname.