The possibility of a no-confidence vote on Boris Johnson by his party colleagues would be so embarrassing that the prime minister could step down first, the British professor said.

– I think there’s no way he’ll survive the vote if that’s the case.

This is what politics professor at the London School of Economics, Tony Travers, told VG.

But the big question right now is whether there will be a condemnation motion against Boris Johnson internally within his own party, and thus a vote. For that to happen, at least 54 of their MPs had to send letters to the so-called 1922 committee.

Only today according to Sky News sent 12 such letters. More have been sent before, and it is hoped that more will be sent. But so far no one knows exactly how many. Only four actually confirmed that they had done so. One of them, Christian Wakeford, announced on Wednesday the transition from the Conservatives to another major party, Labor.

– This is clearly a very serious situation for the Prime Minister. It depends on the trust of the elected representatives of the people in his party. The problem is that there was conservative bloodshed in local elections in May, and a growing number of party lawmakers seem to believe their chances of losing their seats in the next national election are now increasing with him as leader, Travers said.

At the same time, the professor pointed out that Johnson was known as a “fantastic survivor” and it was always difficult to get rid of Conservative leaders, no matter how unpopular they were.

– Therefore, I still think that at this time he is more likely to survive than not (that there will not be at least 54 journ.anm. letters), but the situation is not at all good for him.

“Maybe stupid”

The quote above was given by Travers to VG at 11.20am Wednesday. At 13.00, the weekly question and answer time in the House of Commons of the British Parliament begins. That, Travers said, could potentially change his mind about Johnson’s chances of surviving as prime minister.

The “party in the middle of a pandemic” scandal that continues to escalate is again a hot topic.

British media have reported at least eleven parties allegedly taking place either at the prime minister’s residence or at other government buildings between May 2020 and April 2021, writes Reuters. Johnson has apologized to the parties several times but, among other things, claims he thought he was there as part of a work event. An apology that many have described as pathetic.

A party partner has according to Sky News said Johnson “so stupid.”

Johnson has refused to comply with demands that he should step down, in opposition, and thus increasingly being himself, he believes he should. He did the same when asked directly in the House of Commons on Wednesday if he now wanted to resign:

– No, but as I said last week, I apologize for the mistakes made, replied Johnson, who repeatedly – and repeatedly – referred to the ongoing investigation from many sides, and said Parliament should wait for its conclusion. from coming next week before he will give the exact answer to the question.

He also didn’t answer critical questions about the party, or his explanations that had previously fluctuated around them. He refers exclusively to investigations.

– Startling

One of Johnson himself, veteran and former Brexit minister, David Davis, spoke during Question Time and shared how he has defended and supported the Prime Minister for a long time. But he also said he expected leaders to be held accountable for their actions. Something obvious that Johnson no longer does. Thus he demanded the resignation of his leader:

– Despite all the good you have done, you have been sitting too long. For God’s sake, go!

The question now is whether Davis is enough of Johnson’s own supporters, and believes the prime minister should leave.

– The statement from Davis was quite surprising, but even so, I still think there is the greatest chance that Johnson will stay. Today’s performance is very strong. He’s showing confidence, Travers told VG after question-and-answer time.

Thus, according to him, there will not be as many as 54 conservatives who ask for Johnson’s resignation. He still didn’t dare to tilt when VG spoke to him at 3pm.

– We don’t know enough about the question time effect yet, but towards the end of the day we will probably have a clearer picture, said the professor.

– Very embarrassing

In any case, Travers believes Johnson made a much better performance on Wednesday than during a TV interview with Sky News on Tuesday.

– Then it looks like he’s given up. It was a very sad show. During question-and-answer time, he didn’t appear as someone who expected it to end, the expert said.

Some thought Johnson on Tuesday looked like a shattered man. based on Daily Telegraph Lawmakers who attended a meeting with Johnson yesterday said he burst into tears as he tried to plead with them to continue to trust him.

Also last week, Johnson had to answer the party’s allegations in question time:

If he receives 54 or more no-confidence letters against him, and there is a vote in which he must get at least half of the votes of his party colleagues to continue, then Travers doesn’t think he will stay as prime minister.

But it is not certain that there will be a vote even if at least 54 letters are sent.

– I think it’s more likely that he then backs down before they will vote. It’s a shame to vote like that, Travers pointed out, and said the situation reminded him of when faith in Margaret Thatcher disappeared like sand in an hourglass in 1990.

Professor Travers also points out that there need not be a major downturn for Boris Johnson to leave politics.

– His quirky personality isn’t optimal for gaining great trust from the population, but he’s a person who could have a great career – and make more money – elsewhere.