The Treasurer of the 1922 Committee has suggested that the rules on holding a no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson could be changed in the wake of two by-election defeats.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Tory MP for the Cotswolds, said on Friday morning that the party would be forced to make “difficult decisions” after the results, which includes the biggest by-election defeat ever and the loss of a Red Wall seat first won by the Tories in 2019.
The current rules of the Committee state that a sitting party leader cannot face another confidence ballot in their leadership within twelve months of winning the first.
Mr Johnson saw off a challenge earlier this month, but 148 of his colleagues voted to remove him from office. Some Tory MPs now think that the rules should be changed to allow Mr Johnson to be removed from office if a majority can be reached.
Tory MPs are preparing to vote in the 1922 Committee elections, which are expected to be completed before Parliament’s summer recess, which begins on July 21. The election could see some of Mr Johnson’s opponents on the Conservative back benches elected to key roles, making rule changes more likely.
The current chair of the Committee, Sir Graham Brady, has said it is “likely” the one-year grace period will remain but admitted it was possible it could be scrapped.
"I’m not going to come on out this morning and speculate on behalf of my colleagues as to whether we should or shouldn’t change the rules,” Sir Geoffrey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He added that “over the next few days” Mr Johnson would be required to set out his stall to convince MPs he can still win a general election. We will then in the parliamentary party have to make a judgement as to whether we think that is a satisfactory explanation or whether we should actually take steps to have a new Prime Minister,” he said.
Will BJ squirm out of this one … 