Theresa May confirmed that there will be a vote of no confidence in her leadership. Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, advised May that he had received the 48 letters from Tory MPs needed to trigger a vote this morning.
Brady did not confirm the total amount of letters he received, only that the threshold had been met. Some MPs, including Jacob Rees Mogg, the chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, have been vocal about their desire for a change in leadership.
The Country needs a new leader, it is time for Mrs May to resign.
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) 12 December 2018
In a speech outside Number 10, May confirmed that she would contest the vote with everything she has. She also stressed the point that this will result in a further delay of a Brexit vote, as the new leader would not be in position before the January 21 deadline. Which could result in “delaying or even scrapping Brexit.”
May mentioned in yesterday’s meeting with Angela Merkel and other senior European figures saying she thought they were “making progress”. This is despite the German Chancellor repeating her position that there would be no further negotiations on the Brexit deal.
Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt and Amber Rudd are part of a group of MPs who have already railed around May, giving her their support.
The last thing our country needs right now is a Conservative Party leadership election. Will be seen as self-indulgent and wrong. PM has my full support and is best person to ensure we leave EU on 29 March
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) 12 December 2018
The PM has my full support. At this critical time we need to support and work with the PM to deliver on leaving the EU, & our domestic agenda – ambitious for improvements to people’s lives & to build on growth of wages & jobs.
— Amber Rudd MP (@AmberRuddHR) 12 December 2018
However, conversation around Westminster has quickly turned to her potential successors.
As always, Boris Johnson is a front runner as he continues to maintain a high profile despite leaving his cabinet position as Home Secretary. Johnson is popular amongst Conservative campaigners, but he divides opinion amongst wider party members and many don’t see him as a serious option.
ConservativeHome website survey results also tips Sajid Javid and David Davis as other potential figures in a leadership race. David has already made a clear statement of support for May, but we are yet to see anything similar from Davis.
Tory MPs will vote tonight between 18:00 to 20:00, with results expected later this evening.