Boris Johnson was warned he would face a string of no-confidence letters after the Sue Gray report into Partygate concluded. In order for a vote of no confidence to be triggered, the chair of the 1922 Committee, Graham Brady, must receive letters from at least 54 Conservative MPs – 15% of the parliamentary party.
Here is the full list of Tory MPs who have urged the prime minister to stand down or criticised his leadership, though some say they have not written letters to Brady. Several other critical MPs say they will not reveal whether they have sent a letter – so the true number is likely to be higher. Letter of no confidence in the PM Peter Aldous Waveney After a great deal of soul-searching, I have reached the conclusion that the prime minister should resign … Whilst I am conscious that others will disagree with me, I believe that this is in the best interests of the country, the government and the Conservative party. Aaron Bell Newcastle-under-Lyme I wrote my letter following PMQs on 12 January, when I could not square the prime minister’s words from the dispatch box with his previous statements to the house before Christmas. Subsequently I have also struggled to reconcile assurances given directly to me with the implications of Sue Gray’s interim findings. Andrew Bridgen North West Leicestershire I and colleagues have put in a letter of no confidence over the past few days and it may well be the numbers are close to triggering a vote of no confidence. This would give the parliamentary party the opportunity to register whether they believe Boris Johnson is the person to continue leading the party or not. Steve Brine Winchester and Chandler’s Ford I said some time ago I thought it was inevitable the prime minister would face a vote of confidence among Conservative MPs – (it was widely reported) and I haven’t changed my view. All I can do as a backbencher is seek to trigger that process and (some time ago actually) I have done that. I have said throughout this sorry saga I cannot and will not defend the indefensible. Rule-makers cannot be law-breakers. Elliot Colburn Carshalton and Wallington [Nothing] has convinced me that my decision to submit a letter to the 1922 Committee (which I did some time ago) was the wrong one.
Tobias Ellwood Bournemouth East I have made my position very clear to the prime minister: he does not have my support. A question I humbly put to my colleagues is: are you willing, day in day out, to defend this behaviour publicly? Can we continue to govern without distraction, given the erosion of the trust of the British people? And can we win a general election on this trajectory? Roger Gale North Thanet It’s absolutely clear that there was a party, that he attended it, that he was raising a toast to one of his colleagues. And therefore, he misled us from the dispatch box. And, honourably, there is one answer. Nick Gibb Bognor Regis and Littlehampton The prime minister accepted the resignation of Allegra Stratton for joking about a Christmas party that she hadn’t attended, but he won’t take responsibility for those that he did attend. I am sorry to say that it is hard to see how it can be the case that the prime minister told the truth. To restore trust, we need to change the prime minister. Stephen Hammond Wimbledon I am struck by a number of my colleagues who were really concerned that it’s almost impossible for the PM to say ‘I want to move on’, as we cannot move on without regaining public trust and I am not sure that’s possible in the current situation. All I can do as a backbencher is speak out and submit a letter … I have said for several months I already have done all I can as a backbencher. Mark Harper Forest of Dean I have formally submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister to Sir Graham Brady MP. This was not an easy decision for me – I have been a member of the Conservative party since I was 17 years old and will remain in the party I love until my dying day. Alicia Kearns Rutland and Melton I can only conclude that the prime minister’s account of events to parliament was misleading. If he did not know about the culture of parties, then this is because he failed to ask the questions necessary, or has chosen not to since last October. Those around him clearly did not advise a policy of being honest and transparent with the British people. Anne-Marie Morris Newton Abbot We need truth and honesty, and for those who have broken the rules to be held accountable. Given my increasing displeasure with the ongoing events in the latter part of 2021, I submitted a letter of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady before Christmas. Anthony Mangnall Totnes Standards in public life matter. At this time I can no longer support the PM. His actions and mistruths are overshadowing the extraordinary work of so many excellent ministers and colleagues. I have submitted a letter of no confidence. Bob Neill Bromley and Chislehurst I have listened carefully to the explanations the prime minister has given, in parliament and elsewhere, and, regrettably, do not find his assertions to be credible. That is why, with a heavy heart, I submitted a letter of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady on Wednesday afternoon. Trust is the most important commodity in politics, but these events have undermined trust in not just the office of the prime minister, but in the political process itself. To rebuild that trust and move on, a change in leadership is required. Caroline Nokes Romsey and Southampton North I have been very clear that I believe the PM’s conduct fell far short of what my constituents have every right to expect. I do not need to write a letter of no confidence to the chair of the 1922 Committee – mine was in a very long time ago. John Stevenson Carlisle The continuing criticism, revelations and questions are debilitating for the government at a time when there are so many other important and critical issues to be addressed. Sadly the prime minister appears to be unwilling to bring matters to a head and submit himself to a vote. Therefore the only option is for Conservative MPs to facilitate a vote of confidence. I have already taken the appropriate action. Gary Streeter South West Devon I cannot reconcile the pain and sacrifice of the vast majority of the British public during lockdown with the attitude and activities of those working in Downing Street. Accordingly, I have now submitted a letter seeking a motion of no confidence in the prime minister. William Wragg Hazel Grove I cannot reconcile myself to the prime minister’s continued leadership of our country and the Conservative party. I say this by means of context, so that everyone, particularly my constituents and colleagues, can understand my position, without hiding my views with ever more elaborate disguises. Calls to resign – but no letter confirmed Steve Baker Wycombe Having watched what I would say was beautiful, marvellous contrition … the prime minister’s apology lasted only as long as it took to get out of the headmaster’s study. That is not good enough for me, and it is not good enough for my voters. I am sorry, but for not obeying the letter and the spirit of the law – we have heard that the prime minister knew what the letter was – the prime minister should now be long gone. Really, the prime minister should just know that the gig is up. John Baron Basildon and Billericay Parliament is the beating heart of our nation. To knowingly mislead it cannot be tolerated, no matter the issue. Whether or not the prime minister is an asset to the party or the country is of less importance. Having always said I would consider all the available evidence before deciding, I’m afraid the prime minister no longer enjoys my support – I can no longer give him the benefit of the doubt.
Karen Bradley Staffordshire Moorlands I am proud of the British values of democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance and the rule of law and have been privileged to promote those values around the world as an MP and during my time as a government minister. But we will lose the right to promote those values if we do not uphold them ourselves. I do wish to make it clear that if I had been a minister found to have broken the laws that I passed, I would be tendering my resignation now. David Davis Haltemprice and Howden I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite of that. I will remind him of a quotation which may be familiar to his ear: Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain. “You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.” Andrea Leadsom South Northamptonshire I agree with Sue Gray’s conclusions that there have been significant failures of leadership, both political and official, in No 10 and the Cabinet Office. Each of my Conservative MP colleagues and I must now decide individually on what is the right course of action that will restore confidence in our government. Tim Loughton East Worthing and Shoreham The reason for my conclusion in calling for him to stand down is the way that he has handled the mounting revelations in the last few weeks. Obfuscation, prevarication and evasion have been the order of the day when clarity, honesty and contrition was what was needed and what the British people deserve. Nigel Mills Amber Valley He’s been fined, I don’t think his position is tenable. I think people are rightly angry that at a time when they were observing the very strictest of the rules people who were making the rules didn’t have the decency to observe them. Andrew Mitchell Sutton Coldfield I think this is a crisis that is not going to go away and is doing very great damage to the party. It is more corrosive, in my judgment, than the expenses scandal was, and it will break the coalition that is the Conservative party.
Angela Richardson Guildford Trust has been broken and it saddens me that the culture in No 10 and the length of time the inquiry has taken has eroded trust in your political representatives. It reflects badly on all of us. Sue Gray reflects many people’s view when she says: “The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility.” I am clear that had this been a report about my leadership, I would resign. David Simmonds Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner It is clear that while the government and our policies enjoy the confidence of the public, the prime minister does not. It is time for him to step down so that new leadership can take forward the important work of the government in ensuring that our people and country prosper. Julian Sturdy York Outer It is clear discussions about parties in Downing Street remain a damaging distraction at a time when our country faces massive challenges with war returning in Europe, a global cost of living crisis and our recovery from the pandemic being more important than ever. This is clearly a time when we cannot have any doubt about the honesty, integrity and personal character of the prime minister.
Robert Syms Poole We can beat the Labour party. But it’s more difficult if Boris is there because he’s been damaged. He was given the benefit of the doubt at the last election. Some people feel let down. Critical but ambiguous Nickie Aiken Cities of London and Westminster If I were in the same position, I would put myself forward to the Conservative party for a confidence vote to “end this speculation” over the leadership. Duncan Baker North Norfolk The culture of rule-breaking which has been exposed is disgraceful and plainly wrong. For those asking whether I have sent in a letter to the 1922 Committee, I ask that you respect my decision not to say whether I have or have not – even my family do not know. However, as I have said before, I am not someone who is appalled and takes no action; you will see that from the way I spoke on the floor of the house. Philip Dunne Ludlow With all of the pressing issues facing the government, it should not have to spend time defending the integrity of the PM. While I have not called for his resignation, the PM now has to demonstrate with actions, not just words, that he is the right person to ensure the return of due decorum and propriety that all our constituents expect from politicians, especially so the prime minister. Simon Fell Barrow and Furness As Ms Gray details, a corrosive culture and a failure in leadership allowed this to happen and apologising after the fact is insufficient... Trust matters. And standards in public life go to the heart of maintaining it - once trust is lost, the whole house of cards is at risk of collapse. Kate Griffiths Burton and Uttoxeter I am conscious there remain some unanswered questions about the events that took place and many people, myself included, remain angry about the actions of the prime minister and his senior staff. Parliament is in recess this week … I will be using this time to carefully consider my position before returning to Westminster. Oliver Heald North East Hertfordshire Most Conservative MPs, including me, are dismayed and appalled at what went on in No 10. MPs including me are discussing what happens next. I think it will take two to three weeks to know the answer. Simon Hoare North Dorset I am very concerned about what it’s doing to the status of parliament, to the doing of politics and the status of government, and not just at home but abroad as well. These are very serious things and I think there’s a hell of a lot of damage that is going on and I’m very depressed and very worried about it all. Paul Holmes Eastleigh It is clear to me that a deep mistrust in both the government and the Conservative party has been created by these events, something that pains me personally as someone who always tries to represent Eastleigh and its people with integrity. It is distressing to me that this work on your behalf has been tarnished by the toxic culture that seemed to have permeated No 10. Andrew Jones Harrogate and Knaresborough I feel intensely depressed that senior people in our political system have pretended or somehow genuinely believed that tables groaning with bottles of wine … were in some way allowed work practices. I can understand the curiosity but this is a matter that will remain between myself and the chair of the 1922 Committee. Robert Largan High Peak We cannot have a situation where it is one rule for politicians and another rule for everyone else. I can assure you that I am taking the appropriate action to defend integrity in public life. Dan Poulter Central Suffolk and North Ipswich To knowingly mislead parliament cannot be tolerated, no matter what the issue may be. It is a matter of principle that a minister who knowingly misleads parliament should resign and this principle should also apply to the prime minister. I do not intend to pass a running commentary on each and every latest development or whether or not I have submitted/withdrawn a letter to the chairman of the 1922 Committee. Andrew Selous South West Bedfordshire I have no power over whether anyone else chooses to resign. I do advocate strongly for high standards in public life, standards which I try to adhere to myself. I strongly agree with the archbishop of Canterbury’s comments that standards in public life really matter and we need to rediscover them and abide by them. Derek Thomas St Ives, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly It is still the case that the PM made strong statements in the Commons that have since proved to be inaccurate. Personally, I’ve made it clear that trust and integrity in him, his office and our democratic system is paramount, and the PM clearly believes that he can restore this trust. I’m not convinced, and I hope to be proved to be wrong. Tom Tugendhat Tonbridge and Malling Frankly, it’s very difficult to have confidence in the government right now. There is a real problem. If you are not serious, if you do not look like you’re serious, if you do not behave as though, frankly, the occupation of governing the United Kingdom is possibly the most serious you’ll ever have, it does raise questions of competence. Go, but not yet Neil Hudson Penrith and The Border The situation is untenable moving forward. That said, I do not believe it would be prudent or responsible to change the leadership of the government in the midst of the international crisis. I will therefore be looking to the prime minister to show the statesmanship he has been showing with Ukraine, and outline a timetable and process for an orderly transition to a leadership election as soon as the international situation permits. Douglas Ross Moray and Scottish Conservatives leader I’ve said previously that the prime minister’s position was untenable, and I’ve only changed that because of the situation in Ukraine. Sadly, since the report has been published, the situation in Ukraine has not changed. Craig Whittaker Calder Valley It is my belief that they should both [Johnson and Rishi Sunak] resign. The PM and chancellor should not be an exception to the rules they set to protect us all. I’ve been asked by many of my colleagues and constituents whether I will submit a letter to the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. The answer is “no”. I believe it should be down to the British people, and the British people alone.