Jump directly to the content
LETTER OF THE LAW

Who has written no confidence letters against Theresa May?

THE magic number of 48 letters were sent to backbench boss Sir Graham Brady, triggering a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

The revolt against the Conservative Party leader, which ultimately failed when May won a majority backing from the Tories, had been prompted by her "soft" Brexit deal which she agreed with EU leaders. Here's how it all played out...

 Theresa May could face a leadership contest over her handling of Brexit
3
Theresa May could face a leadership contest over her handling of BrexitCredit: Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Which MPs have publicly said they've written no confidence letters against Theresa May?

The Tories are in turmoil over the PM's Brexit deal with some submitting letters of no confidence.

To force a leadership contest 15 per cent of Tory MPs have to submit a letter, which currently means 48 or more letters are needed.

On December 12, 2018, Sir Graham Brady announced the total had been reached.

Here are the ones that have gone public:

  1. Jacob Rees-Mogg
  2. Ben Bradley
  3. Steve Baker
  4. Nadine Dorries
  5. Andrew Bridgen
  6. Mark Francois
  7. Sheryll Murray
  8. Simon Clarke
  9. Andrea Jenkyns
  10. James Duddridge
  11. Anne Marie Morris
  12. Peter Bone
  13. Lee Rowley
  14. Philip Davies
  15. Henry Smith
  16. Martin Vickers
  17. Laurence Robertson
  18. John Whittingdale
  19. Maria Caulfield
  20. Adam Holloway
  21. Chris Green
  22. David Jones
  23. Marcus Fysh
  24. Zac Goldsmith
  25. Sir Bill Cash
  26. Philip Hollobone
  27. Andrew Lewer
  28. Crispin Blunt
  29. Owen Paterson
 Graham Brady announced the amount of letters was in this morning
3
Graham Brady announced the amount of letters was in this morningCredit: London News Pictures

What is the 1922 Committee?

The 1922 Committee gives backbench Tory MPs the chance to air their concerns, report on constituency work and co-ordinate legislative agendas.

It can also form to issue a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Unless the leader steps down voluntarily, a leadership challenge usually begins with a vote of no confidence being called.

Currently it would take 48 letters to be submitted to trigger a vote.

 

 Sir Graham Brady sent this press release this morning
3
Sir Graham Brady sent this press release this morning

This means that, in the event of a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister, committee chairman Sir Graham Brady must receive a total of 48 letters from MPs who wish to seek a new Tory party leader.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leading Eurosceptic, put pressure on Mrs May to quit after he submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM to Sir Graham, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, which prompted other Eurosceptic Tories to do the same.

Have they reached 48 letters?

As of this morning (December 12), Sir Graham Brady has received all 48 letters necessary to call the no confidence vote.

By the evening, after an 8pm anonymous ballot, May retained the premiership, receiving backing from 200 Conservative MPs, while 117 voted against.

There can be no second challenge against May's leadership for another year.

Theresa May makes her case to stay as PM in passionate Downing Street statement after vote of no confidence confirmed over Brexit


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours


 

Topics