UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly faces a challenge to his grip on power as soon as this week, as members of his own party are pressing for a confidence vote after the “Partygate” scandal shattered public support for their embattled leader.
Members of Johnson’s ruling Conservative Party aim to hold a confidence vote on Wednesday, the London’s Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing comments from lawmakers. One Tory MP told the media outlet that dissident members have already reached the threshold of 54 formal requests lodged with the party’s 1922 Committee to force the vote.
A negative result would force Johnson to resign or call for a general election, giving voters an opportunity to choose new leadership. Johnson’s party has been taking a political beating since revelations that his office held alcohol-fueled parties at Downing Street and Whitehall during nationwide Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.