Page 4 - Anthony Meyer News Today

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have survived a no-confidence vote, but his grip on power is far from secure

The last two times a Conservative prime minister faced a vote of confidence they won the support of more of their MPs.

Five previous leaders have faced the wrath of their backbenchers, with two, Ted Heath in 1975 and Sir Iain Duncan Smith in 2003, losing the vote and having to immediately resign.

A queue of politicians waited to cast their ballots  after a day of high drama in Westminster saw  the PMs political enemies reach the critical threshold for a referendum on his time in office.

Boris Johnsons predecessor Theresa May won a similar vote in December 2018. She announced her resignation six months later in May 2019, however, following... 06.06.2022, Sputnik International

Boris Johnson avoided the humiliation of outright defeat but rebels racked up big numbers in the secret ballot, raising fears that the Tories will be torn to pieces by a civil war.

Here is how recent leaders of the Conservative Party have fared in votes of confidence or challenges to their position.

Boris Johnson is not the first leader to face poll of party MPs, a situation that has often led to their downfall

Tory MPs have triggered a confidence vote in Boris Johnson's leadership. But how does it actually work?

Win or lose, history suggests that a Tory Prime Minister is doomed when they face a confidence vote from their own MPs