1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Bradley says confidence vote will be held this evening.
Tory members of parliament in the UK will hold a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson as party leader on Monday evening, the party’s 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Bradley announced.
The announcement came after speculations over the Jubilee weekend that the threshold of 15% lawmakers had been reached.
Bradley said the confidence vote would be held this evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“We reached the point I could communicate with the prime minister yesterday,” he said in a televised statement.
He said: “The threshold of 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the prime minister has been passed.
“That vote will take place in the House of Commons between 6pm and 8pm. We will announce the result shortly thereafter.”
In order to continue as party leader, Johnson needs the support of at least 50% of the Tory members of parliament, which is 180.
If Johnson loses the vote, he will have to resign as prime minister and a leadership contest will start immediately after.
After the announcement, Downing Street released a short statement on the vote.
“Tonight is a chance to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move on, delivering on the people’s priorities,” a spokesperson said.
“The PM welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs and will remind them that when they’re united and focused on the issues that matter to voters. There is no more formidable political force.”
Johnson has been harshly criticized for months over lockdown parties at Downing Street and the party’s poor performance in the May 5 local elections has also raised eyebrows, triggering speculation that it may lose the next general election under Johnson’s leadership.
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