If 180 Conservative lawmakers – a simple majority – vote against Johnson, he will step down as leader of the ruling Conservative Party and be ousted within three years after a landslide victory in a general election.
If Johnson wins the election, he will be the party’s leader and prime minister.
Although the referendum was secret, many Conservative MPs have publicly spoken out against the prime minister.
“Because we believe in power, the Conservative MPs know in our hearts that we did not give the British people the leadership they deserved,” Hunt wrote on Twitter. “We have not provided the integrity, talent and vision needed to unleash the immense potential of our country.”
Another Conservative MP, Jesse Norman, told Johnson that his appointment “would not only insult the electorate … it would bring about a decisive change in government in the next election.”
Norman, who represents the Hearford and South Hearfordshire constituencies, released his letter of no-confidence just minutes before the referendum was announced on Monday.
Although he described the prime minister’s response to Suu Kyi’s statement as “hostile”, most of his letter focused on Johnson’s other policies, including the government’s new policy of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda. And questionable legitimacy. ”
Johnson’s endorsement ratings are falling, and there is a growing sense in some sections of his ruling Conservative Party that he is becoming a liability. The party faces two difficult parliamentary by-elections later this month.
A Downing Street spokesman said Monday that Johnson “welcomes the opportunity to present his case to MPs.”
“Tonight is an opportunity to put an end to many months of speculation, give the people their priorities and move the government to a stronghold,” Johnson was quoted as saying by a spokesman. [the MPs] When they work together and focus on issues that are important to the electorate, there can be no strong political force. “
Johnson will personally address the 1922 Committee before the referendum, Downing Street added.
Khair Stormer, leader of the opposition Labor Party, has called on Conservative MPs to remove Johnson. Speaking on LBC Radio, he said, “I think they should show some leadership and vote against the Prime Minister. He has lost the confidence of the country. I think this is very clear from all the evidence I have seen.”
Johnson’s supporters have been rushing to his defense in recent weeks, arguing that this is not the time to provoke a leadership rivalry, given the many crises facing the country, including the war in Ukraine.
Many of Johnson’s top ministers have already announced their support for him. The UK Foreign Secretary said Liz was firmly behind Johnson. “I have 100% support for the Prime Minister in today’s vote and I strongly urge my colleagues to support him,” Truss tweeted.
President Rishi Chunak also tweeted that he supports Johnson in the vote, adding, “We will continue to support Johnson as we focus on growing the economy, managing the cost of living and fixing the Govt backlog.”
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Robb said the Conservative Party should support the Prime Minister, adding that “together we must focus on delivering the priorities of the people.”
Under Conservative Party rules, if MPs want to remove their leader, they submit a no-confidence letter to the 1922 committee chairman, a group of backbenchers who do not hold government positions. The process is dark – the letters are kept secret, the chair currently in Brady, not even revealing how many were handed over.
After 15% of Conservative lawmakers submit letters, a vote of confidence is induced among all conservative lawmakers. The current organization of the House of Commons has at least 54 MPs submitted letters of no confidence.
Failing the referendum on Monday could effectively end the life of one of Britain’s top politicians in the post-war period. At that event, he will remain prime minister until a new Conservative candidate is elected to lead the party; At the time, Johnson was urging the Queen to resign as prime minister and suggest that the winner of the contest be invited to form a government.
If Johnson wins comfortably in the polls, he could emerge strong within his party, which has struggled in recent months to identify a rival politician to challenge Johnson. Under current party rules – which can be changed at any time – he will be relieved of another leadership challenge for 12 months.
A narrow victory, on the contrary, would tarnish Johnson’s reputation even if he did not overthrow the government. The Conservatives face two parliamentary by-elections at the end of June, after which two of their backbenchers were forced to resign amid their own corruption – with disappointing results likely to put more pressure on Johnson ahead of the 2024 expected national general election.
Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, was the last British leader to face a no – confidence vote from her own party. May narrowly escaped that referendum called amid months of turmoil over the ruined Brexit deal, but eventually resigned a few months later.
Corruption on the parties was not the first to tarnish Johnson’s reputation. He has been embroiled in allegations that he accepted improper donations to fund the renovation of his Downing Street apartment, while his government has been accused of awarding lucrative Govt-19 deals to those affiliated with the Conservative Party. Johnson’s spokesman insisted he had “acted according to the rules at all times.”
CNN’s Sharon Brightwhite and Benjamin Brown contributed to the reporting.
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