UK opposition pushes for no confidence vote in government

Labour Party seeks to oust PM Johnson immediately, trigger election

The United Kingdom's opposition Labour Party was on Tuesday set to table a motion for a no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson's government, which, if passed, would take place on Wednesday.

While Conservatives focus on who will become the next leader of their party following Johnson's resignation last week, Labour is seeking to trigger a general election after Johnson said he intends to remain as prime minister until September.

A Labour source told Sky News the aim was to secure his immediate exit from Downing Street.

James Murray, Labour's shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, said it was "the last opportunity to get Boris Johnson out of Downing Street before the end of Parliament next week".

He added: "Boris Johnson should go now and we hope that the Conservative MPs agree with us on that. I think the whole country realizes Boris Johnson just has no integrity and honesty. I think it's time for him to go."

In a no-confidence vote, members of Parliament from all parties would cast a ballot on whether the government should continue in office. If the government were to lose, it could bring about a national election.

For the vote to succeed, it would require a simple majority in Parliament, which would need the support of some Conservative MPs.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said last week that he wanted to seek a no confidence vote in order to bring about a general election. Other opposition parties, including the Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats, said they would support the move.

Defeat for Johnson seems unlikely as his party has a 73-seat majority and Conservatives are unlikely to vote against their own government when a new leader is set to be chosen soon.

Johnson last week announced he would quit as British prime minister after he lost the support of many of his ministers and most Conservative lawmakers.

He made the decision after more than 50 government ministers and aides quit and lawmakers said he must go. He said he would stay on until his successor was chosen.

The first round of the Conservative leadership contest will take place on Wednesday, with candidates requiring the support of at least 20 MPs to qualify for the ballot.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 10 MPs remained in the race to replace Johnson. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has withdrawn from the contest and pledged his support for the former chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak.

After several rounds of voting by Conservative MPs, the contenders will be whittled down to two finalists by the end of next week. Around 160,000 Conservative Party members across the country will then be invited to select their preference by postal ballot, with the result to be announced on Sept 5.