Boris Johnson to defend record as Government faces vote of no confidence

A vote of no confidence is set to be held in Boris Johnson’s government amid calls for the Prime Minister to step down immediately.

A Conservative leadership contest is already under way to replace Johnson in Number 10.

Johnson had indicated that he would remain in post until September when the new leader is announced.

However, there have been calls for the Prime Minister to go now, with a caretaker installed in his place.

The vote of no confidence will take place in the House of Commons on Monday.

If the Government is defeated, it would almost certainly trigger a general election.

However, that would require a large number of Conservative MPs to vote against the Government, or to abstain from the vote.

Unusually, the vote is taking place on a Government motion.

Johnson will open the debate and his official spokesman said: “As you would expect the Prime Minister will set out some of the achievements of the Government.”

Labour had previously stated that it would seek to hold a vote of no confidence in Johnson.

Their motion, which expressed no confidence in the Government and Prime Minister, was rejected.

It would have effectively forced Conservative MPs to go on record to state that they have confidence in the Prime Minister in order to avoid a general election.