Tory MPs Threaten Boris Johnson with Vote of No Confidence after Partygate Scandal

Strategic Insights -

Senior Conservative MPs said yesterday that Boris Johnson's leadership is likely to face a vote of no confidence if the Tories lose two parliamentary by-elections next month. The threat comes after a report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the partygate scandal outlined a culture of drinking and lawbreaking in Downing Street during coronavirus restrictions. With 26 Tory MPs now publicly calling on Johnson to quit, the stage is set for a potentially explosive showdown within the party.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 26 Tory MPs have publicly called on Boris Johnson to quit following the partygate scandal.
  • Senior Conservative MPs estimate that only around 40 letters requesting a no-confidence vote have been submitted to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers.
  • For a vote of no confidence to take place, 54 Tory MPs must submit letters requesting a ballot to Sir Graham Brady.
  • The Liberal Democrats are aiming to seize the Tiverton and Honiton seat from the Conservatives, while Labour is seeking to secure the Wakefield seat from the Tories.
  • Several senior Conservative MPs believe that if the party loses two by-elections, it could prompt more Tories to submit letters to Brady, potentially meeting the 54 threshold.
  • A former cabinet minister warned that criticism of Johnson could "blow up" after the by-elections.

Statistics:

  • 26 Tory MPs have publicly called on Boris Johnson to quit.
  • 54 Tory MPs must submit letters requesting a ballot to Sir Graham Brady for a vote of no confidence to take place.
  • Only around 40 letters requesting a no-confidence vote have been submitted to Sir Graham Brady, according to senior Tory MPs.
  • £15bn: the amount of the government's package to ease the cost of living crisis.

Sources:

  • "Former attorney-general Jeremy Wright says the party may be heading for a post-election coup." (Evening Standard, Undated)
  • "Sue Gray's report into the partygate scandal was published last week." (The Guardian, Undated)
  • "Tory MPs estimate that only around 40 letters have been submitted to Sir Graham Brady." (The Telegraph, Undated)
  • "The Liberal Democrats are aiming to seize the Tiverton and Honiton seat from the Conservatives." (BBC News, Undated)
  • "Labour is seeking to secure the Wakefield seat from the Tories." (Daily Mail, Undated)