Johnson has come under fire mainly for drinks and parties during corona lockdowns, but he is also not well with a number of Conservatives for other reasons. Johnson has apologized over ‘party gate’ and has no intention of stepping down. He counts on his opponents and critics to be in the minority.
But if it turns out that a majority of the group does not support Johnson, he will be removed as party leader and prime minister. After that, the Conservative Party immediately starts the search for a new party leader who automatically becomes Prime Minister. If enough party members stand behind Johnson, he will be assured of his position as party and government leader the next year.
The number of rounds of voting in a possible leadership election depends on the number of candidates that apply. At each round, candidates drop out until only two are left. The first ballots are held among members of the House of Commons parliamentary group, in the last round all members of the Conservative Party vote.
The vote is Monday evening 7 p.m. Dutch time. The vote lasts approximately two hours. To remove the prime minister, 180 MPs must vote for the no-confidence motion.