UK PM Johnson passes no-confidence vote

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson passed a no-confidence vote in his party on Monday (June 6). But more than 40% of Conservative Party members voted against his staying in office, and his leadership within the party has been weakened.

In a secret ballot, 148 of 359 Conservative MPs voted against Johnson. At least 180 votes against it would be needed to remove Johnson from the party leadership.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been under scrutiny since revelations last year that he and his staff held a party in Downing Street as Britain imposed strict coronavirus restrictions.

Lawmakers from all parties have expressed concern about him, and Johnson has faced public outcry. The crowd booed him at an event last week at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration to celebrate the Queen’s 70th anniversary on the throne.

Following Monday’s no-confidence vote, Johnson called his victory “convincing” and said, “It means that as a government we can move forward and focus on the things I think are really important to the people. Above.”

He has always said he wants to focus on improving the economy and pushing for Tory-proposed policies such as tax cuts.

Johnson said before the vote that if party members stood with him, “I will lead you to victory again.”

Johnson became prime minister in July 2019. With the next election due in 2024, some Tory members fear the scandal will damage the party.

But key cabinet ministers rallied around Johnson, who praised his successful implementation of a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme and his steadfast support for Ukraine after Russia invaded the country.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is often seen as Johnson’s likely successor. She supported the Prime Minister on Twitter. “I’m glad my colleagues support the Prime Minister. I support him 100 percent. Now is the time to get down to business,” she wrote.