BREAKING: British PM Boris Johnson will face a leadership vote after ‘partygate’, the media nickname for illegal gatherings in Downing Street during the pandemic.
will now spend the day frantically trying to shore up support, as he must gain at least 180 votes from the party’s 359 parliamentarians if he is to cling to power.The leadership spill has come to a head even before two crucial byelections on June 23. The Conservatives are expected to lose two seats they are defending, as the public punishes Mr Johnson for holding parties at Downing Street during strict COVID-19 lockdowns.
Because no standout challenger has yet emerged to lead the rebellion, Westminster watchers say there is a decent chance Mr Johnson will survive.Even if he does, though, his authority will be permanently hobbled. His critics say that he will lead a “zombie government”, unable to take any initiative in the face of a divided party.
The ructions come a long way out from any general election. The next trip to the ballot boxes is not due until 2024, although the prime minister could call one at any time. Mr Johnson has an 80-seat majority in the 650-seat House of Commons, having won a swag of blue-collar seats from Labour in 2019.
Although the Downing Street parties took place in 2020, they continue to resonate because of the strong emotions surrounding the lockdowns, given many people were unable to see dying relatives or attend their funerals.