No-confidence motion against Boris Johnson fails

By Our Special Correspondent

Boris Johnson Prime Minister of British after emerged from the no-confidence motion on Tuesday, his support in the Conservative Party was waning and he was scrambling to mend his torn power after raising serious doubts about how long he could remain in office.

Johnson, who has been popularly appealing to the public, highlighted concerns that he would become responsible to voters in all but the conduct of the vote. The level of rebellion - 41% of Conservative lawmakers voted against him - prompted many prime ministers to resign.

Conservative legislator Philip Dunne, who voted against Johnson in Monday's no-confidence ballot, said: "It's not over. But the closing game may not happen quickly as Johnson defiantly vows to "start the job".

Johnson on Tuesday vowed to focus on the economy, health care and the crime he defined as "what's important to the British people".

"We are now able to draw a line under the issues that our opponents want to talk about" and "take the country forward," he told a weekly meeting with cabinet colleagues.

But Johnson faces serious questions about his ability to govern the country at a time of increasing economic and social pressure.

The uprising was a sign of deep Conservative divisions, within three years of Johnson leading the party to its biggest election victory in decades - the peak of roller coaster political life.

Many Conservatives have concerns about the probity, and increasingly the popularity, of a prime minister who has previously shown a remarkable ability to shrug off scandal.

The no-confidence vote was triggered by at least 54 Tory lawmakers challenging Johnson's 15% in the party's parliamentary caucus, following public outrage at government parties for violating the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Members of the legislature voted 148 to 211 to support him as leader beyond the 180 needed to stay in power. Johnson described the victory as "confident" - but the uprising was bigger than some of his supporters had expected. This is a lower margin than his predecessor Theresa May in the 2018 no-confidence vote. Six months later she had to resign.