According to the Sunday Times newspaper, officials from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party, the British prime minister, expect a challenger to his leadership and have scheduled a vote for Wednesday.
A growing number of Conservative lawmakers are expressing dismay at Johnson’s government after a “partygate” scandal. Some have even submitted letters asking for confidence votes in Johnson.
For one to be activated, at least 54 Conservative MPs must request a confidence vote from the chairman of the party’s 1922 Committee. Because the letters are confidential, only the chairman knows the number submitted.
More than 25 lawmakers have made their letters public so far. The Times reported that party officials and rebel legislators believed they were close to the 54 thresholds. One believes the number has already been passed.
According to the newspaper, “Officers from the 1922 executive have already set Wednesday as the day for voting on the leadership,”
Johnson’s Conservatives will defend two parliamentary seats in the by-elections this month. This is after the current lawmakers were forced out of office for watching pornography and the other for sexual abuse.
The paper conducted a poll that found that the Labour Party was 20 points more popular than the Conservatives in one of these.
When asked if Johnson would receive a confidence vote this week, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told BBC TV that Johnson did not. Grant Shapps said that Johnson was often subject to poor mid-term polling.
He stated that Johnson would win every vote.
After an official report revealed that Johnson and Downing Street officials had broken stringent laws during the pandemic, Johnson repeatedly apologized for his actions. They also held alcohol-fueled gatherings at the peak of lockdowns.
When he arrived at the Queen Elizabeth service of thanksgiving on Friday, he was mocked by the public.
Johnson stated that he would not resign as there are too many problems facing the government and that it would not be right to walk away.
