A number of Tory MPs have balloted for a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson’s leadership, with a count scheduled to take place this evening in the House of Commons.
Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the Conservatives’ 1922 Committee party and MP for Altrincham and Sale West, made the announcement on Monday morning (June 6) that the threshold of 15% of Tory MPs had balloted to say they wanted a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister following his handling of the Partygate scandal.
Sir Brady said that Tory MPs will vote later this evening, with the votes counted immediately afterwards. In a statement, the chairman said: “The threshold of 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded.
READ MORE: Tributes to dad-of-four with 'heart of gold' who died after Audi smashed into wall
“In accordance with the rules, a ballot will be held between 1800 and 2000 TODAY MONDAY 6th JUNE — 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.”
Following the statement, Sir Brady confirmed the Prime Minister was informed of the move on Sunday evening and there was an 'open invitation' for him to speak to members of the 1922 Committee ahead of this evening's vote.
Jesse Norman, the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, was one of the MPs to confirm he submitted a letter to Sir Graham Brady calling for a confidence vote in Boris Johnson. The MP said Mr 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”.
Mr Norman said that Boris Johnson’s current policy priorities were “deeply questionable” and that there were no circumstances in which he could serve in a government led by him. In addition, the former minister said the Government’s Rwanda policy was “ugly, likely to be counterproductive and of doubtful legality” and that plans to privatise Channel 4 were “unnecessary and provocative”.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, for Lichfield in Staffordshire, said he thinks the Prime Minister will win this evening’s vote of confidence. Speaking to Times Radio, the MP said: “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. I mean, if I was planning a palace coup, I wouldn’t be doing it at this time. I think it’s not been well planned.”
Mr Fabricant went on to compare the situation to the confidence vote which Theresa May won, saying: “I’ve got a feeling that’s what’s going to happen this time too – and so it should.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Trust said the Prime Minister had her '100% backing', and encouraged colleagues to support him in tonight's vote. The MP for South West Norfolk added: "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."
Downing Street said Boris Johnson 'welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs' and tonight’s vote would 'allow the Government to draw a line and move on'. A No 10 spokeswoman 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.”
