The UK’s Conservatives Need to Find a New Leader
Boris Johnson survived a brutal no-confidence vote. That doesn’t mean he can still govern.
Will he?
Photographer: Carl Court/Getty Images
If ever there was a Pyrrhic victory, Boris Johnson’s win in this week’s no-confidence vote must qualify. Britain’s prime minister secured the majority he needed to hang on, if he decides to, but by the surprisingly narrow margin of 211 votes to 148. More than 40% of his own party in Parliament told him to go.
In a similar challenge in 2018, his predecessor Theresa May prevailed by a bigger margin — and was out in six months. In 1990, Margaret Thatcher was also opposed by roughly 40% of her parliamentary colleagues — and promptly resigned. Later this month Johnson’s party faces brutal setbacks in two by-elections. Ahead of those votes, the polls could hardly be worse. Johnson’s net approval rating, at minus 45%, makes President Joe Biden’s minus 13% look golden. The prime minister’s threadbare authority within his own party, let alone the country at large, is now completely shot.