Loss of office after “Partygate”?
Johnson faces no-confidence vote
6/6/2022 9:23 am
The pressure on Boris Johnson continues to increase: his celebration antics during the corona lockdown could actually cost the British Prime Minister his office. His Conservative Party is putting him before a vote of no confidence – already tonight.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has come under heavy criticism for the “Partygate” affair, has to face a vote of no confidence from his Conservative Party. The head of the responsible party committee, Graham Brady, announced that the necessary number of applications – at least 54 – had been received from Tory MPs. The necessary threshold of 15 percent of the 359 conservative parliamentarians was thus reached.
Johnson can win the vote, which should take place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the evening, and retain his office. However, the vote alone is considered another heavy blow for the prime minister. If a majority votes against Johnson, he will lose his position as prime minister for the time being.
The British Prime Minister has also come under heavy criticism from within his own ranks for a number of lockdown parties at his Downing Street official residence during the pandemic. Johnson was fined for attending one of the celebrations. This makes him the first incumbent British Prime Minister to break the law. An investigation report accuses him and other people in charge of leadership failure and serious misconduct in complying with Corona rules. The 57-year-old apologized several times in the House of Commons in London. However, he refuses to resign.
Johnson sees the vote as an opportunity
Johnson even welcomed the vote of no confidence against him. The prime minister said it was a chance to put the “Partygate” affair behind him, via a Downing Street spokeswoman. This could end “months of speculation” and “a line under it” could be drawn.
To vote Johnson out of office, at least 180 MPs must vote against him in the no-confidence vote. This is considered a high hurdle, especially as around 150 Tory MPs hold part-time government jobs that they could lose if Johnson were voted out. In addition, experts point out that there is currently no real alternative to the prime minister, who is considered the most important campaigner in the Conservative Party.
Under current party rules, if Johnson wins the vote, there can be no further attempt to unseat him for a year. The result of the vote of no confidence is to be announced later this evening.