The attempt by Boris Johnson’s opponents within the party to overthrow the prime minister has failed. But the result of the no-confidence vote is still devastating for the British head of government and could still herald his end. The press review for the vote.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has survived his own Conservative party’s no-confidence vote over the “Partygate” scandal. On Monday evening in London, 211 MPs of the Tories voted to remain party leader and thus also as prime minister, but 148 MPs voted to distrust him. In the end, 32 votes were missing to force Johnson to resign. He himself called his victory “convincing”.
“Of course I understand that we need to come together now as a government and as a party. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do now,” Johnson told reporters. “We’ll move on,” he promised. It was a “convincing result, a crucial result. It allowed us to “look ahead.”
However, the extent of the revolt against the party leader is likely to further weaken his authority – Johnson’s future as prime minister is by no means certain after this vote.
“It’s entirely possible that the optimistic Johnson isn’t feeling as bloodthirsty as the briefing suggests and after the humiliation of being booed outside St Pauls on Friday, his fragile ego may finally take over and prompt him to resign cause. But most colleagues believe he is likely to remain at Downing Street in hopes of making his way to the next general election.” – The Guardian
“Last night’s revolt renders the Prime Minister’s position untenable – he must spare his party and the country further torment.” – The Times
“For Johnson to become prime minister at all is a testament to his incredible self-confidence coupled with unique circumstances. Add to that his complete lack of shame. The party’s over but Boris Johnson is still hanging around for now.” – Sydney Morning Herald
[148] “- the number of Tory MPs wanting to remove the Prime Minister. A number that will hang around Boris Johnson’s neck like a weight for the rest of his term in office.” – BBC
“The scale of the revolt leaves him wounded and will fuel speculation that he might throw in the towel.” – The Sun
“His salvation may have been the lack of an apparent successor within the party.” – The Washington Post
“Mr Johnson must now assess whether he has the political clout to undertake a reshuffle that could restore his shattered authority.” – The New York Times
“The story of leaders surviving in the medium term after such no-confidence votes is not encouraging.” – The Daily Mail
“Yet Mr Johnson is a unique figure in British politics, happily flouting convention and often seeming immune to the rules of political gravity.” – The New York Times
“Everything seemed possible (to Boris Johnson). But now, halfway through his five-year tenure, his hour has come. He may have survived a vote of confidence, but with 41 percent of his MPs against him, he’s probably on borrowed time.” – Sydney Morning Herald
