Conservative MPs, including the Isle of Wight's, are to decide whether or not they have confidence in the continued leadership of the Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson will face a vote of no confidence tonight, between 6pm and 8pm and all the party's MPs are eligible to take part.
The ballot was announced earlier today by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, who revealed he had received enough letters from disgruntled MPs to trigger the vote.
He said: “The votes will be counted immediately afterwards. An announcement will be made at a time to be advised."
The County Press has asked leading Conservatives for their reactions to today's news...
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has not sent a comment.
However, he has consistently supported the PM, who was booed and jeered by Platinum Jubilee well-wishers over the weekend.
In his most recent statement, issued after the publication of the Sue Gray Partygate report, Mr Seely said: "I, like many others, heard the Prime Minister’s statement and apology. Clearly, there are lessons to be learned and we have already heard from the Prime Minister that changes have been made in Downing Street.
"I hope that we can now move on so that Government can focus on other pressing matters including the rise in the cost of living, our response to Russian aggression and levelling up our country, as the Prime Minister outlined."
The statement went on to confirm that Mr Seely did not expect the PM to resign.
David Pugh, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association
The chairman of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association believes Boris Johnson’s time as Prime Minister 'should come to an end.'
However, David Pugh, who oversees the organisation of the Conservative Party on the Isle of Wight said, if Mr Johnson does survive the vote, he will need to provide promised vital funding.
Mr Pugh told the County Press: "I recognise and respect that there are a range of views on this particular issue (and other matters) amongst our membership. As such, I am not offering a view on behalf of the Association.
"It is for all MPs, including [Isle of Wight MP] Bob Seely, to decide how to vote.
"I fully recognise a majority of Conservative MPs may resolve they do have confidence in Boris Johnson as Leader of the Conservative Party.
"In such circumstances, with the Prime Minister continuing in office, I expect him to deliver – without further delay – the commitment he made in 2019 that the Isle of Wight would receive a funding settlement which recognises the additional costs associated with delivering public services in an island community."
Cllr Joe Robertson, Leader of the Conservatives at the Isle of Wight Council
Cllr Joe Robertson, who is leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative Group at the Isle of Wight Council's County Hall, said: "The future of the Prime Minister is now in the hands of MPs. We will know the outcome by the end of today. We will support that outcome, whatever it may be."
Who else has been commenting on Mr Johnson's future?
Meanwhile, journalist Isabel Oakeshott, one of the panellists on BBC Radio Four's Any Questions?, which was broacast from Freshwater Memorial Hall on Thursday, had this to say about the PM's future when the matter was raised during a conversation about Covid-19 regulations.
- Vote of no confidence: Who could replace Boris Johnson?
- John Penrose resigns saying it is 'pretty clear' PM broke ministerial code
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel