LONDON, June 6 (Reuters) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a vote of confidence on Monday after a growing number of lawmakers in the governing Conservative Party questioned the authority of the British leader following the “Partygate” scandal.
Johnson, who won a sweeping election victory in 2019, was under increasing pressure when he and staff at the center of power held alcohol-fueled parties at a time when Britain was under strict lockdown to combat COVID-19 .
Appearing at events to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in recent days, she was met with laughter and some silent cheers by the public.
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On Monday, the seemingly invincible Johnson was also attacked by one-time aide Jesse Norman, a former junior minister, who said the prime minister in power insulted both voters and the party. Is. read more
“You have presided over a culture of contingency law breaking with respect to COVID at 10 Downing Street,” he said, adding that the government has “a large majority, but no long-term plans”.
Norman is one of more than 25 Conservative lawmakers who say 57-year-old Johnson has lost his right to govern Britain, which faces the risk of recession, rising prices and travel chaos spurred by a strike in the capital London on Monday. doing.
Graham Brady, chairman of the party’s 1922 committee, which represents rank-and-file Conservative MPs, wrote in a note, “The threshold of 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party was exceeded.” Is.” ,
Brady said voting would take place on Monday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (1700-1900 GMT). read more
“The votes will be counted immediately afterwards. One announcement at a time will be made for advice,” Brady said.
A spokesman for Johnson’s Downing Street office said the vote was “an opportunity to end months of speculation and see the government draw a line and move forward to meet the priorities of the people”.
“The PM welcomes the opportunity for MPs (members of parliament) to make their case and will remind them that when they are united and focused on issues that matter to voters, there is no stronger political force.” Doesn’t happen.”
rising anger
A majority – or 180 – of Conservative lawmakers would have to vote against Johnson to remove him – a level that some conservatives say could be difficult to reach. If passed, there will be a leadership contest to decide on his replacement, which could take several weeks.
Several ministers on his cabinet team, like other potential successors, were quick to deliver messages of support for the prime minister, with Finance Minister Rishi Sunak saying Johnson had shown “strong leadership”.
“I am supporting him today and will continue to support him as we focus on growing the economy, tackling the cost of living and clearing the COVID backlog,” he wrote on Twitter as a choreographed expression of support. said in.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes put former Health Minister Jeremy Hunt as his favorite to remove Johnson if he is ousted, also tweeted by Secretary of State Liz Truss, who voted for the prime minister’s “100% support” in Monday’s vote. Also tweeted. read more
Since the release of a damning report into the so-called “PartyGate” scandal, which listed fights and alcohol-induced vomiting at lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street, Johnson and his government have urged lawmakers to move forward.
But after parliament last week sent several lawmakers back to their constituencies, or polling areas, many people received a slew of complaints over Johnson.
Steve Barkley, who was appointed Downing Street chief of staff after the parties reported, urged lawmakers “not to waste the remaining half of Parliament on distractions from leadership”.
On the Conservative Home website, he wrote, “If we continue to turn our direction as a Conservative party – and while expanding the government and the country – in a protracted leadership debate, we will be sending the opposite message.”
The bitter criticism of Norman, who served as a junior minister in the finance ministry between 2019 and 2021, was perhaps the biggest sign that criticism of Johnson had spread beyond a vocal group of so-called rebels.
In a letter published on Twitter, he wrote, “People are screaming for good government… Neither the Conservative Party nor this country is going to waste the next two years getting distracted and distracted by endless debates about you and your leadership. can take the risk.”
“Longening this chariot by being in office for you disrespects not only the electorate, but also the thousands of people who support, volunteer, represent and campaign for our party; it will be a part of the government in the next election.” Makes decisive change and more likely it is potentially disastrous for this country.”
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Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Kate Holton and Alex Richardson
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
