Boris Johnson's Government WINS late-night confidence vote
Boris Johnson’s Government WINS late-night confidence vote by 349 votes to 238
- Boris Johnson’s Government won late-night confidence vote by 349 votes to 238
- The Prime Minister is now expected to continue in role for the next seven weeks
- He spoke about Brexit, support for Ukraine and handling of Covid-19 pandemic
Boris Johnson’s Government has won a late-night confidence vote by 349 votes to 238 in the House of Commons.
The Prime Minister, who is set to leave office on 6th September, is now expected to continue in his role for the next seven weeks until a new Conservative Party leader is chosen to replace him.
MPs voted 349 to 238, majority 111, to support the motion stating that the Commons has confidence in the Government.
Mr Johnson used his opening speech to run through what he perceived to be his greatest hits in office as he batted away calls for him to resign immediately rather than wait until September 5.
He spoke at length about Brexit, support for Ukraine and his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic amid furious heckling from the Opposition benches.
He tabled a motion of confidence last week in his outgoing Government following a row over Labour’s plans for a ‘stunt’ vote.
It comes after Labour bungled an attempt to force a Commons showdown on whether Mr Johnson still commands a majority.
Boris Johnson speaking during a debate ahead of a confidence vote in the ruling Conservative government, in the House of Commons
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The delusion is never ending. What a relief for the country that they finally got round to sacking him’
MPs voted 349 to 238, majority 111, to support the motion stating that the Commons has confidence in the Government
Sir Keir Starmer had wanted to hold a vote on whether MPs still had faith in the Government under Mr Johnson.
But Downing Street refused to allow such a vote – despite convention being that the Government always grants parliamentary time for a confidence motion from the official opposition party – as they claimed it did not follow the standard format.
They accused Labour of ‘playing politics’ and wasting parliamentary time by specifically targeting Mr Johnson with their proposed vote – when he has already announced his resignation.
Labour hit back and claimed No10 was dodging their version of a confidence vote because they feared losing it.
However tonight, in a hint at what is to come, Mr Johnson also told MPs he will have ‘more to say’ about the events surrounding his downfall ‘in due course’.
Mr Johnson also told MPs he will have ‘more to say’ about the events surrounding his downfall ‘in due course’
The debate came after a tumultuous few months which led to Tory MPs forcing him to accept he has to step down, amid accusations of lying and rule-breaking.
Mr Johnson denied his departure from Downing Street will be the end of Brexit, claiming some people believe Labour and the ‘deep state will prevail in its plot to haul us back into alignment with the EU as a prelude to our eventual return’.
He also spoke about his flight in a Typhoon fighter jet last week, before adding on the Tory leadership: ‘After three dynamic and exhilarating years in the cockpit, we will find a new leader and we will coalesce in loyalty around him or her.
‘And the vast twin Rolls-Royce engines of our Tory message, our Conservative values, will roar on – strong public services on the left, and a dynamic free market enterprise economy on the right, each boosting the other and developing trillions of pounds of thrust.
Rishi Sunak has seen his vote rise steadily throughout the contest, but Penny Mordaunt faded badly in the latest round
‘The reason we keep winning is we’re the only party that understands the need for both. Whatever happens in this contest we will continue to fight for the lowest possible taxes and the lightest possible regulation.’
HOW THE TORY LEADERSHIP RACE WILL PLAY OUT
Today – A third ballot of Tory MPs was held with Tom Tugendhat coming bottom and being eliminated.
Tomorrow – Another ballot will be held to whittle the numbers down to three.
Wednesday: Assuming no-one drops out, a fifth ballot will decide the final pair, ending the parliamentary phase of the contest.
21st July – MPs will head away from Westminster for their summer break.
Late July and August – CCHQ will assume responsibility for leadership election and will send out ballot papers to around 200,000 Conservative Party members. The Tory grassroots will be asked to decide between the final two candidates, with hustings events to be held across the UK.
5th September – The result of the membership ballot is announced, with the candidate receiving more than 50 per cent of the vote being declared the new Tory leader and Boris Johnson’s replacement as Prime Minister.
6th September – The new Tory leader is likely to be formally appointed as PM during a visit to the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
7th September – The new PM is set to be quizzed in the House of Commons in their first ever Prime Minister’s Questions.
Labour former minister Kevin Brennan earlier said it was ‘highly unconventional’ for Mr Johnson to put down a confidence motion in his own Government, adding: ‘Though I suppose he is an unconventional person, since only an unconventional man would want the opportunity to speak at his own funeral.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The delusion is never ending. What a relief for the country that they finally got round to sacking him.
‘And in many ways the chaos of the last fortnight is familiar. The third Tory leadership contest in six years. The latest bumper summer for graphic designers and brand managers. The latest parade of pretenders promising unfunded tax cuts.
‘The latest set of ministerial jobs handed out on a wink and a shake in return for a nomination. And TV debates so embarrassing that even the contestants are pulling out.
‘Every other year they switch out a failed prime minister.’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: ‘Let’s reflect on a man who should never have been put in office in the first place. A man that simply shouldn’t be here for a minute longer, because he demonstrated no dignity in office, in the highest office in the land.’
He added: ‘He doesn’t deserve another day. Never mind another seven weeks.’
Former minister Sir Edward Leigh was among a group of Tory loyalists who expressed regret at Mr Johnson’s impending departure.
He said: ‘I think we will ask ourselves, what have we done? What have we done to a man who gave us this 80-seat majority?’
But SNP MP Stewart McDonald (Glasgow South) said: ‘We don’t have a Government, it’s a Government in name only, it’s essentially now a form of organised Tory hooliganism that squats in these offices of state, that squats in these departments and squats most of all in Downing Street.’
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