Vote of confidence in the Prime Minister to take place - here's how it will work - The Worcester Observer

Vote of confidence in the Prime Minister to take place - here's how it will work

Worcester Editorial 6th Jun, 2022   0

WORCESTERSHIRE’s Conservative MPs will be among the 359 to declare whether or not they support the Prime Minister in this evening’s vote of confidence.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee which sets the rules for the parliamentary Conservative party, confirmed in a statement this morning (Monday) the 54 letters needed to trigger a vote had been ‘exceeded’.

Speaking to reporters on College Green this morning, Sir Graham even appeared to suggest the threshold had been reached last week but an announcement was put on hold for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The 1922 chair confirmed he had informed the Prime Minister the threshold had been reached last night (Sunday).

“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.




“In accordance with the rules, a ballot will be held between 6pm and 8pm today (Monday) — 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.”


Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston, who serves as Sports Minister in Boris Johnson’s Government, is among those who have publicly declared their support for the PM.

It means Boris Johnson will become the second Prime Minister in just over four years to face a vote of confidence in his premiership. In 2018, the then Prime Minister Theresa May faced a vote of confidence and won despite a third of her MPs voting against her – she resigned six months later.

How will the leadership election work? 

Between 6pm and 8pm this evening (Monday), Conservative MPs will be asked whether they have confidence in Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party and therefore Prime Minister.

It’s a secret ballot and no names will be revealed of those who voted either way unless the individual MP chooses to reveal their decision publicly.

How many votes does the Prime Minister need to win the vote?

180 or 50 per cent of the parliamentary party plus one. Should he achieve this he will be safe as Prime Minister for at least 12 months as the Conservative Party rules do not allow for another vote for at least a year.

Could the Prime Minister lose his job tonight?

Yes. If 180 MPs or 50 per cent of the parliamentary party plus one vote in the opposite direction and say they have no confidence in the Prime Minister then a leadership election will be triggered to replace Mr Johnson.

While highly unlikely, Boris Johnson would be unable to stand in any leadership election. He would be expected to remain in office while any leadership election took place.

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