Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face a no-confidence vote Monday night local time, the Conservative Party has confirmed.
Key points:
- Conservative MPs are worried that Boris Johnson has lost his authority to govern following an accusatory report on parties held under the COVID-19 blockade
- Mr Johnson now needs half of his parliamentary colleagues to vote for him to survive being ousted as leader
- Many colleagues have already publicly spoken out for or against him
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee representing the Conservative parliamentary base before the party leader, confirmed the vote in a note to Conservative MPs.
“The 15 percent threshold [54] of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been surpassed, “he wrote.
“In accordance with the rules, a vote will be held today, Monday 6 June, between 18.00 and 2000. [3am to 5am Tuesday AEST] – Details to confirm. Votes will be counted immediately afterwards. An announcement will be made at the time of being informed “.
A Johnson spokesman said the vote would give the opportunity to end months of speculation about his leadership.
“Tonight is an opportunity to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move forward,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister is grateful for the opportunity to present his case to parliamentarians and will remind them that when they are united and focus on issues that matter to voters, there is no more formidable political force.”
Secretary of State Liz Truss, who has been considered a possible successor to Mr. Johnson said he would support the prime minister “100 percent” and encouraged his comrades to do the same.
“He has supported the recovery of COVID and has supported Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He has apologized for the mistakes he has made. We must now focus on economic growth,” Ms Truss said on Twitter.
The “Partygate” report haunts the Prime Minister
Johnson, who was appointed prime minister in 2019, has come under increasing pressure, unable to get past a report documenting alcohol-fueled parties at the heart of power when Britain was under strict blockades to deal with COVID-19.
Dozens of Conservative MPs have expressed concern over whether Mr Johnson, 57, has lost his authority to govern Britain, which faces the risk of recession, rising fuel and food prices and travel chaos caused by the strike in the capital London.
Over the weekend, he was booed at the celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
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Jesse Norman, who served as junior minister in the finance ministry from 2019 to 2021, was the last Conservative MP to publicly call for a vote of confidence, joining a growing number of people who have expressed concern over Johnson’s election call.
Norman said he could no longer stand by Mr. Johnson.
“Recent events have served to clarify the position of this country under your leadership, without a doubt: and I am afraid that I do not see any circumstances in which it can serve in a government led by you,” said Norman. in a letter. posted to Twitter.
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A simple majority of Conservative MPs (180) would have to vote against Mr Johnson to be fired, a level some conservatives say could be difficult to achieve.
If approved, there would be a leadership contest to decide his replacement.
Since the publication of the condemnatory report on the so-called “Partygate” scandal, which listed alcohol-induced fights and vomiting at blockade break parties at his Downing Street office and residence, Johnson and some members of the his government had urged parliamentarians to move on.
The Prime Minister was criticized after revelations about the Downing Street festivities held during the confinement of COVID-19 in May 2020. (Report 7.30)
Reuters
Posted 41 minutes ago, 41 minutes ago, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 7:32 AM, last updated 14 minutes, 14 minutes ago, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 7:58 AM