Tory MPs Trigger No Confidence Vote In Boris Johnson’s Leadership

Boris Johnson is on the verge of being ousted as Conservative Party leader and prime minister, after the number of Tory MPs demanding he resign reached the threshold for a vote of no confidence.

Chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady has announced that 54 or more Tory MPs have requested a vote of confidence in the PM, triggering a leadership vote.

Tory MPs will vote this evening between 6pm and 8pm on whether they want Johnson to remain.

While plenty of Westminster insiders predict Johnson will survive the vote, the fact it has been called is damaging for the prime minister.

Brady said in a statement: “The threshold of 15 per cent of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded.

Sir Graham Brady making the announcement to camera
Sir Graham Brady making the announcement to camera

“In accordance with the rules, a ballot will be held between 6pm and 8pm today Monday June 6 — details to be confirmed.

“The votes will be counted immediately afterwards. An announcement will be made at a time to be advised. Arrangements for the announcement will be released later today.”

Speaking to journalists, Brady suggested some MPs had post dated their letters so the vote did not overshadow the Queen’s jubilee celebrations.

It comes after former minister Jesse Norman became the latest Tory MP to announce that he has submitted a letter calling for a confidence vote in Johnson.

Norman, the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, said Johnson had presided over “a culture of casual law-breaking” in No.10 and that his claim to be vindicated by the Sue Gray report was “grotesque”.

In order to oust him, 180 MPs would have to vote against Johnson in the confidence vote.

However, the odds are in the PM’s favour with around 140 MPs on the “payroll” alone including ministers and aides.

Cabinet ministers have been lining up to declare their support for the prime minister.

Foreign secretary Liz Truss tweeted: “The prime minister has my 100 per cent backing in today’s vote and I strongly encourage colleagues to support him.

“He has delivered on covid recovery and supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He has apologised for mistakes made. We must now focus on economic growth.”

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove added: “I’ll be voting for Boris this evening. The PM got the big decisions right on Brexit and Covid.

“We need to focus now on defending Ukraine, driving levelling-up and generating growth. We need to move past this moment and unite behind Boris to meet these challenges.”

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said he thinks Johnson will win the vote no of confidence on Monday evening.

He told Times Radio: “I think he is going to win. I think that something like two-thirds of the party will vote to support him and I really do wonder why it’s happening at this time.”

A No.10 spokesperson said:“Tonight is a chance to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move on, delivering on the people’s priorities.

“The PM welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs and will remind them that when they’re united and focused on the issues that matter to voters there is no more formidable political force.”

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Full List Of Tory MPs Publicly Calling For Boris Johnson To Quit

Boris Johnson’s leadership is in peril amid a drip feed of rebellious Tory MPs publicly calling on him to resign.

Despite winning a stonking majority of 80 just two years ago, Johnson’s government has been engulfed by a major scandal dubbed “partygate”.

The Metropolitan Police Service is now investigating alleged Covid-rule breaking at 12 gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall held during the pandemic.

The crisis is prompting some fed-up Tory MPs to stick their head above the parapet to call for the prime minister to go.

HuffPost UK will keep you up-to-date with the running total of Conservative MPs who want the prime minister to resign.

Currently 11 Tory MPs are understood to have submitted a letter to the chairman of the 1922 committee.

A number of other Conservative MPs have suggested he should consider his position or been highly critical.

What Is A Letter Of No Confidence And How Many Are Needed To Trigger A Vote?

A Conservative leadership contest could be triggered if 15 per cent of MPs write to the chairman of the powerful backbench 1922 committee saying they no longer have confidence in Johnson.

This means 54 MPs must submit a letter to chairman Sir Graham Brady to spark a vote of no confidence.

No-one really knows how many MPs have submitted letters because Brady keeps them a closely guarded secret. MPs are free to publicly announce whether or not they are putting in a letter.

Tory Total: Here’s The Latest List

“It sounds to me, I am afraid, very much as though politically the prime minister is a dead man walking.”

Sir Roger Gale
Sir Roger Gale

Future Publishing via Getty Images

“A series of unforced errors are deeply damaging to the perception of the party. The prime minister’s position is untenable.”

William Wragg MP
William Wragg MP

NurPhoto via Getty Images

“I don’t want to be in this position, but I am in this position now, where I don’t think he can continue as leader of the Conservatives.”

Douglas Ross
Douglas Ross

Pool via Getty Images

“He looks like a liability and I think he either goes now, or he goes in three years’ time at a general election.”

Caroline Nokes
Caroline Nokes

Leon Neal via Getty Images

“With a heavy heart, I must inform you I have submitted my letter of no confidence in the prime minister.”

Andrew Bridgen
Andrew Bridgen

Future Publishing via Getty Images

“Boris Johnson’s position is now untenable…his resignation is the only way to bring this whole unfortunate episode to an end.”

Tim Loughton
Tim Loughton

Dan Kitwood via Getty Images

“He no longer enjoys my support.”

Andrew Mitchell
Andrew Mitchell

House of Commons – PA Images via Getty Images

“After a great deal of soul-searching, I have reached the conclusion that the prime minister should resign.”

Peter Aldous
Peter Aldous

Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament via PA Media

“I don’t think the prime minister realises how worried colleagues are in every corner of the party.”

Tobias Ellwood MP
Tobias Ellwood MP

ISABEL INFANTES via Getty Images

“I can no longer support the PM. His actions and mistruths are overshadowing the extraordinary work of so many excellent ministers and colleagues.”

“I cannot reconcile the pain and sacrifice of the vast majority of the British public during lockdown with the attitude and activities of those working in Downing Street.”

Critical Tory MPs

“In the name of God, go.”

“I would applaud if Boris Johnson resigned.”

“We need this to change. Now.”

“This is unforgivable…the culture has become lazy and slack about what happens after hours, what happens in offices.”

Others who have been critical, include Bob Neill, Guy Opperman, Stephen Hammond, Aaron Bell and Robert Syms who said: “I am considering whether or not I ought to put in a letter.” Meanwhile 26 Tory MSPs have called for him to go.

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