A motion of censure against UK Boris Johnson’s government has been defeated

The After more than five hours of debate, the motion was rejected in a vote this evening by 238 to 349, giving the Conservatives an absolute majority.

“I don’t know why the Leader of the Opposition insists that we have to take a censure resolution today when we’re fixing Northern Ireland’s ethical issues when it comes to protecting people from the dangers of the internet,” Johnson asked in his opening speech.

However, he was interrupted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, who recalled a motion of censure “actually brought forward by the government”, prompting laughter from MPs.

It is usually the opposition that presents motions of censure to the government, but the executive rejected Labour’s proposed speech, which focused on Johnson personally, and presented its own motion.

“This is one of the most dynamic governments of modern times, not only coping with suffering on a scale we haven’t seen in centuries, but demonstrating suffering,” Johnson argued, asking conservative lawmakers for a vote of confidence.

The Prime Minister resigned as Tory leader last week, after more than 50 members of the government left, blaming the chief executive for a series of scandals.

Greeted by boos from the Tories, Labor leader Keir Starmer recalled David Cameron and Theresa May and urged rivals to “re-read their resignation letters” rather than defend the Johnson government.

“Unlike his predecessors, this prime minister was not ousted for political differences. (…) Rather, he was ousted in disgrace, judged by his colleagues and peers as unfit for his position and unfit for the job”, he stressed.

Boris Johnson’s resignation triggered an election for the Conservative leadership, the process of which will only end with the announcement of a winner on September 5.

With the Conservatives having an absolute majority in Parliament, the winner will become Prime Minister and be called upon by Queen Elizabeth II to form a government.

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