London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

Jeremy Hunt urges Tory MPs to vote no confidence in Boris Johnson

Jeremy Hunt urges Tory MPs to vote no confidence in Boris Johnson

Former minister says Tory party is set to lose next election because of lack of integrity, competence and vision

Jeremy Hunt has urged Tory MPs to vote no confidence in Boris Johnson on Monday evening, saying the Conservative party is set to lose the next election because of a lack of integrity, competence and vision from the prime minister.

The former health secretary, who faced Johnson in the final two in the last leadership race in 2019, said he would be “voting for change”.

While Downing Street waited nervously for the vote, the prime minister suffered another reverse with the resignation of his anti-corruption tsar, and further public criticisms from MPs.

In a series of tweets that will be seen as firing the starting gun on another leadership pitch, Hunt said: “The Conservative party must now decide if it wishes to change its leader. Because of the situation in Ukraine this was not a debate I wanted to have now but under our rules we must do that.

“Having been trusted with power, Conservative MPs know in our hearts we are not giving the British people the leadership they deserve. We are not offering the integrity, competence and vision necessary to unleash the enormous potential of our country.

“And because we are no longer trusted by the electorate, who know this too, we are set to lose the next general election.

“Anyone who believes our country is stronger, fairer and more prosperous when led by Conservatives should reflect that the consequence of not changing will be to hand the country to others who do not share those values. Today’s decision is change or lose. I will be voting for change.”

John Penrose, the MP for Weston-super-Mare and the government’s anti-corruption tsar, announced he had quit and called on Johnson to stand down, too.

Penrose accused the prime minister of failing to address the “broader and very serious criticisms” contained in Sue Gray’s report last week into Downing Street parties. Given that demonstrating leadership was part of the ministerial code, he said, the only fair conclusion to draw from Gray’s report was “that you have breached a fundamental principle of the ministerial code – a clear resigning matter”.


Penrose said Johnson’s letter to his ethics adviser, Christopher Geidt, last week “ignored this absolutely central, non-negotiable issue completely”. He said nothing could justify a fundamental breach of the code and it was not “honourable or right … for you to remain as prime minister”, adding: “I hope you will now stand aside so we can look to the future and choose your successor.”

Angela Richardson, another Tory MP who quit as a ministerial aide in January, said she would be voting against Johnson in the confidence vote.

Before a meeting of the whole parliamentary party at 4pm where Johnson will make his last-ditch plea for MPs to back him, the prime minister wrote to them asking for support “because I know how much we can achieve together”.

He said “now is the time to concentrate every ounce” of energy and drive on “the priorities of the British people” and stressed his commitment to “Conservative principles”.

Johnson added: “I do not believe our voters will lightly forgive us if – just when they need us most to be focusing on them – we appear once again to be focusing on Westminster politics” because “the only beneficiaries will be our opponents”.

A vote of no confidence in Johnson’s leadership will be held between 6pm and 8pm on Monday, with the result expected to be declared shortly afterwards. The poll was triggered when 15% of Conservative MPs – 54 in total – submitted a leader calling for one.

To stay in office, Johnson needs to win the support of at least 50% of all Tory MPs plus one, totalling 180. If he does win he is theoretically safe from such a challenge for a year – although the rules can be changed.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×