Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to officially face a no confidence vote in his leadership this evening, it has been confirmed.
After months of speculation amid the ongoing ‘partygate’ scandal and everything that has materialised during and as a result of it, it has now been announced this morning that enough MPs from the Conservative Party have submitted letters calling for a contest in the Prime Minister’s leadership.
At least 15% of Tory MPs have officially written to the chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, Sir Graham Brady, calling for a vote.
Sir Graham said that he notified Mr Johnson yesterday evening that the threshold for a contest had now been reached, and the pair then agreed on timings for the vote together – with it set to take place between 6pm and 8pm this evening in the House of Commons.
An announcement on the result is then expected about an hour after the vote closes.
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Confirming that the vote is to take place, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “Tonight is a chance to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move on, delivering on the people’s priorities.
“The PM welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs and will remind them that when they’re united and focused on the issues that matter to voters there is no more formidable political force.”
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Although Sir Graham said that he would not be revealing when the threshold for letters had been reached or how many letters have been submitted in total, he said it would “not be a bad description” to say that some MPs had asked for their letters to be post-dated to ensure the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations were not interrupted.
How will the vote work then? Well, for the Prime Minister to be ousted, half of Tory MPs plus one would need to vote against him – which is currently 180 MPs.
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If he wins, he will remain as party leader and Prime Minister and be immune from another such challenge for a year, but if he loses, a contest to choose a new party leader and Prime Minister will take place, and Mr Johnson will be barred from standing.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
6th June 2022 
