British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survives confidence vote

He triumphed despite struggling to overcome a scandal related to parties held during COVID-19 lockdowns

Published: June 6, 2022 4:11pm

Updated: June 6, 2022 4:31pm

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday survived a no-confidence vote and will remain in office following a scandal involving parties at Downing Street during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Johnson won the support of 211 out of 359 Conservative lawmakers, more than the majority required to remain in power, according to the Associated Press.

Because Johnson had no clear successor, many observers predicted he would defeat the vote.

His margin of victory was very slim compared to historical no-confidence votes, however.

Labour MP David Lammy pointed out that Johnson won with 59% support, a much lower percent than former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher in 1990 and Theresa May in 2018.

"Boris Johnson is a dead man walking. He’s got to go," Lammy tweeted.

Other MPs, such as Conservative chairman Oliver Dowden, backed Johnson because of the prime minister's "real leadership" on Ukraine, Brexit, and COVID-19.