After months of anonymous threats and speculation, Boris Johnson will face a confidence vote by Tory MPs this evening. Announcing the news this morning, the chair of the 1922 committee Sir Graham Brady said in a statement:
‘The threshold of the 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded.
The vote presents a moment of peril for Johnson.
In accordance with the rules, a ballot will be held between 18:00 and 20:00 today MONDAY 6th JUNE – details to be confirmed.’
So, what comes next? No. 10 have chosen to move quickly – as Theresa May did when she faced a confidence vote and won it. It will be held this evening with the votes to be counted immediately afterwards. A Downing Street spokesperson has described the vote as ‘a chance to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move on, delivering on the people’s priorities’.
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