Unexpected move does not directly criticise Boris Johnson and comes after Labour version rejected
The government is to table a confidence motion in itself after rejecting a version by Labour that directly criticised Boris Johnson.
The unexpected move will force Conservative MPs to back the current government but will make the vote more straightforward as it will not constitute an endorsement of Johnson.
“Labour were given the option to table a straightforward vote of no confidence in the government in keeping with contention, however they chose not to,” a government spokesperson said.
“To remedy this we are tabling a motion which gives the House the opportunity to decide if it has confidence in the government. The government will always allow time for appropriate House matters whilst ensuring that it delivers parliamentary business to help improve people’s everyday lives.”
A Labour source said the decision was “madness” and one they expected to backfire. “Not sure Tory leadership candidates or marginal MPs will welcome this.”
Labour reacted with fury on Tuesday night after Downing Street refused to allow parliamentary time for the motion it had tabled. Longstanding convention is that, if the leader of the official opposition tables a motion of no confidence, the government makes time for it to be debated and voted on.
Tory whips said Labour’s motion fell outside the scope of the convention by identifying Johnson. Labour said the motion had been ruled in order by the House of Commons clerks, and pointed to the 1965 confidence motion, which mentioned the prime minister.
