UK PM Johnson to face confidence vote 6/06/22 Transcript

Speaker 1: (00:02)
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson faces a confidence vote on Monday, which could see him ousted from power. It comes after a growing number of lawmakers in the governing Conservative Party have questioned his leadership over the Partygate scandal. He has been under pressure following a damning report that documented alcohol fueled parties at the heart of power when Britain was under strict COVID-19 lockdowns.

Speaker 1: (00:31)
Johnson who helped the Conservatives win a large majority in a 2019 election has apologized but said he would not resign.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson : (00:40)
I once again offer a full apology.

Speaker 1: (00:44)
Graham Brady, the chairman of the party’s 1922 Committee that represents conservative lawmakers without government positions, said the 15% threshold of parliamentary party members seeking a confidence vote had been exceeded. The vote will take place on Monday evening with the results announced shortly after.

Speaker 1: (01:06)
A Downing Street spokesperson said the vote was a chance to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and move on. More than two dozen conservative lawmakers say Johnson has lost his authority to govern Britain, which is facing the risk of recession as well as rising fuel and food prices.

Speaker 3: (01:25)
In the name of God, go.

Speaker 1: (01:27)
Leader of the opposition Labor Party Keir Starmer is among those calling for the Prime Minister to resign.

Keir Starmer: (01:33)
This is the beginning of the end. If you look at the previous examples of no confidence vote, even when conservative prime ministers survive those, and he might survive it tonight, the damage is already done.

Speaker 1: (01:44)
But Johnson does have allies. Several from his cabinet team, including finance minister, Rishi Sunak, and other possible successes were swift to tweet their support for Johnson on Monday. Public support though appears to have been mixed for the once seemingly unassailable Johnson.

Speaker 1: (02:04)
At Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen at the weekend, he faced jeers and booze, with some muted cheers. On the streets of the Capitol on Monday, London has mulled the vote.

Speaker 5: (02:19)
I hope he gets no confidence because I’ve got no confidence in him.

Speaker 6: (02:24)
I think, I mean, he’s very corrupt or very incompetent, there’s not a great deal more to say.

Speaker 1: (02:28)
A majority of conservative lawmakers, or 180, would have to vote against Johnson for him to be removed. A level some conservative say might be difficult to reach. If Johnson wins, he will remain in office and cannot be challenged again for a year. But if he loses, there would then be a leadership contest to decide his replacement.