Johnson survives vote of no confidence

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has survived a vote of no confidence, despite losing the support of a substantial number of his MPs.

Johnson won 59 per cent of the vote, which is less than the percentage of votes won by Theresa May when she faced a similar revolt back in 2018.  

Several Scottish Conservatives announced they would vote against the Prime Minister before the vote was held, including leader Douglas Ross, former Scottish Secretary David Mundell, West Aberdeenshire MP Andrew Bowie and Scottish Borders MP John Lamont.

However, the current Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, and Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, voiced their support for Johnson.

Speaking before the vote, Ross said: "I have heard loud and clear the anger at the breaking of Covid rules that we all did our best to follow, and even more so at the statements to parliament from the prime minister on this topic.

"Having listened closely to people in Moray who re-elected me to represent them, and from many people across Scotland, now that this confidence vote is upon us, I cannot in good faith support Boris Johnson.

"My vote tonight will support the motion of no confidence."

The rules of the Conservative Party mean that Johnson is now immune from another vote for at least a year, after securing 211 votes, with 148 MPs voting against him continuing as leader.

Reacting to the result, Jack said: “As I have been clear throughout, the Prime Minister has my full support. I voted for him tonight, and I am very pleased that he has received the backing of a clear majority of the parliamentary party.

“We now need to put this behind us, and get on with what really matters - tackling the very real major challenges we face both at home and abroad.”

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford said “the UK is now stuck in limbo with a lame duck Prime Minister who has lost the confidence of the public”, and added: "As for Douglas Ross, his position is completely untenable. If he had any principles or dignity he should quit as Scottish Tory leader.

“He has made himself look utterly ridiculous by flip-flopping over Boris Johnson's future and will have no authority or credibility if he tries to cling on."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said “it’s one rule for them and another for the rest of us”, and added: “Boris Johnson is a liar and lawbreaker who isn’t fit to remain Prime Minister for a moment longer.”