As I write, the “men in grey suits” are gathered in Number 10 Downing Street to tell Boris Johnson his time as Prime Minister is up. The numbers of Tory ministers and others on the government “payroll” with responsibilities resigning are becoming so many that the BBC News chryon has the running total. Boris, like TFG, is a Klingon….he is desperately trying to cling on to power.
If the delegation of senior (remaining) ministers do not persuade him to resign, the situation will become “interesting”. It is quite possible further ministers, even his just appointed Chancellor, will also resign and make his position untenable. Focus then shifts to the elections for the backbench “1922 Committee” which decides on internal party rules, amongst other things.
Currently the rules do not allow a motion of no confidence in the PM to be held more than once a year. The last was in late May, just before by-election disasters that lost him 2 seats. The existing committee has indicated it will not change the rules until these 1922 elections and then it will be up to the new committee. The BBC has been told that the Chair of the Committee, Sir Graham Brady, is going to Number 10 “to offer wise council”. His message will clearly be “jump before you are pushed”.
Boris has abolished the “Fixed Term Parliaments Act” which allowed him to threaten to ask for a general election as a means to keep his critics in line.
The effect of repeal of the 2011 Act on the principles surrounding dissolution:
In restoring the pre-2011 Act position, the United Kingdom is returning to a position where the Prime Minister (by virtue of commanding the confidence of the House of Commons), can advise the Sovereign to dissolve Parliament at a time of their choosing.
The circumstances in which a Prime Minister might seek a dissolution are underpinned by two core constitutional principles:
- The Prime Minister holds that position by virtue of their ability to command the
confidence of the House of Commons and will normally be the accepted leader of the political party that commands the majority of the House of Commons.
- The Sovereign should not be drawn into party politics, and it is the responsibility of
those involved in the political process to ensure that remains the case. As the
Crown’s principal adviser this responsibility falls particularly on the incumbent Prime
Minister.
A return to the pre-2011 status quo ante will also restore the position whereby the Prime Minister, having lost a designated or explicit vote of confidence, can either resign or seek a dissolution, which would usually be granted and lead to an election
A request from Boris to the Queen for her to dissolve Parliament and hold a General Election is normally automatic but there are serious questions over whether these circumstances permit or oblige her to refuse.
So while principles exist that would allow the Queen to refuse an early election request, they've never been tested in the cold light of day, says Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government think tank.
"Informally, the Palace could tell him no. The question is whether he would go against that informal advice and ask anyway - which would put the Queen in a very political decision.
"Whatever you argue about the massive constitutional problems if she did refuse, she can act."
The position is fast moving so I will update as developments occur.
Wednesday, Jul 6, 2022 · 9:06:51 PM +00:00 · Lib Dem FoP
BBC
Meanwhile, there have been three more resignations from Johnson's government. Taking the number of ministers and aides that have resigned - or been sacked - up to at least 41.
Danny Kruger has now resigned as parliamentary private secretary to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - Michael Gove's former department.
Kruger says he's "very sorry indeed to hear Michael Gove has been fired".
James Daly, parliamentary private secretary to the Department of Work and Pensions, resigned from his role "with great regret".
In a letter
Daly says Johnson is "sadly unable to lead our government".
David Mundell also resigned from his role as trade envoy to New Zealand. In a tweet
Mundell says he has no confidence in the PM and is "very disappointed".
Tonight Boris took preemptive action and sacked a minister, Michael Gove. BBC reports Gove being described as “a snake” in a #10 press briefing and sacked over the phone.
Thursday, Jul 7, 2022 · 9:44:48 AM +00:00
·
Lib Dem FoP
Boris resigns but intends to stay on until his successor as Conservative Leader is elected.
Boris Johnson is to stand down as Conservative leader, but intends to carry on as prime minister until the autumn.
He is expected to make a resignation statement in Downing Street shortly.
It follows a dramatic 48 hours which saw dozens of ministers - including chancellor Rishi Sunak - resigning in protest at his leadership.
Mr Sunak's replacement as chancellor Nahim Zahawi was among the ministers urging the PM to quit.
He resisted the calls until Thursday morning, when it became clear that he had lost the confidence of his MPs and that the government could no longer function.