Cornwall MP calls for change in leadership as Boris Johnson faces confidence vote
Four other Cornish MPs are continuing to support the Prime Minister
Last updated 6th Jun 2022
MPs in Cornwall have been setting out their positions as a confidence vote will determine the future of the Prime Minister.
It was triggered after enough Tory MPs have submitted letters and a ballot has now been announced, which will take place between 6pm and 8pm on Monday (6th June).
Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives, West Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly, is no longer backing the Boris Johnson.
He wrote: "This evening’s vote of No Confidence can either draw a line under the past months of questions about the suitability of the PM for this high office or allow it to fester on.
"It is not straightforward to change a Prime Minister, but in my gut I know it is the right thing to do - which is why I submitted my letter of No Confidence back on the 21st of April".
Meanwhile four Cornish MPs have written statements of support for the Prime Minister as he faces a vote of no confidence this evening.
Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, is one of those continuing to back Boris Johnson. He said: "The Prime Minister continues to have my support. His leadership has delivered for this country time and time again..."
Other MPs across Cornwall are also writing letters of support. Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall wrote: "I have confidence in Boris Johnson for continuing as out Prime Minister and will be voting to support him this evening".
Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, also wrote: "I will be supporting the Prime Minister this evening".
A spokesperson for George Eustice, MP for Redruth and Camborne, has said he will also continue his support in this evenings vote.
They wrote: "George supports the Prime Minister. It is right that he has apologised for the failings that occurred but there are important issues that the government must focus on now".
North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has not yet issued a statement.
Why is there a vote?
The vote comes after weeks of speculation about his leadership following the 'Partygate' scandal into lockdown breaches in and around Downing Street.
This morning, Chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers, Sir Graham Brady, confirmed the number of letters of no confidence has passed the threshold of 54.
Sir Graham Brady told reporters in Westminster that Boris Johnson was informed last night that the threshold to trigger a vote had been reached.
He said some colleagues had post-dated their letters until after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
He told reporters in Westminster: "I notified the Prime Minister yesterday that the threshold had been reached.
"We agreed the timetable for the confidence vote to take place and he shared my view - which is also in line with the rules that we have in place - that that vote should happen as soon as could reasonably take place and that would be today."
The results of the vote of no confidence will be announced from 9pm this evening.