Boris JohnsonThe US government won a nightly confidence vote in the House of Commons by a vote of 349 to 238.
The prime minister, who is due to leave office on September 6, is now expected to remain in office for the next seven weeks until a new post Conservative Party Leader is elected to replace him.
MPs voted 349 to 238, majority 111, to back the motion, which says the House of Commons has confidence in the government.
Mr Johnson used his opening address to go through what he saw as his greatest achievements in office as he hit back calls for an immediate resignation rather than waiting until September 5.
Amid angry heckling from opposition benches, he spoke at length about Brexit, support for Ukraine and his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He tabled a confidence motion in his outgoing government last week after a row over Labor’s plans for a ‘stunt’ vote.
It comes after Labor botched an attempt to force a showdown in the House of Commons over whether Mr Johnson still has a majority.
Mr Johnson also told MPs he would have “more to say” about the events surrounding his ouster “in due course”.
Union leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The deception never ends. What a relief for the country that they finally got around to sacking him.
MPs voted 349 to 238, majority 111, to back the motion, which says the House of Commons has confidence in the government
Mister Keir Starmer had wanted to hold a vote on whether MPs still have confidence in Mr Johnson’s government.
But Downing Street refused to allow such a vote – despite the convention that the government always allocates parliamentary time for a motion of confidence from the official opposition party – as they claim it does not conform to the standard format.
They accused Labor of “playing politics” and wasting parliamentary time by targeting Mr Johnson with their proposed vote – when he had already announced his resignation.
Labor hit back, claiming No 10 would dodge their version of a vote of confidence because they feared losing it.
Tonight, however, in a hint at what is to come, Mr Johnson told MPs he would have “more to say” about the events surrounding his ouster “in due course”.
Boris Johnson speaks during a debate ahead of a vote of confidence in the ruling Conservative government in the House of Commons
The debate came after a turbulent couple of months that saw Tory MPs force him to accept he must resign amid accusations of lying and breaking rules.
Mr Johnson denied that his departure from Downing Street will be the end of Brexit, claiming some people believed Labor and the “deep state would prevail in their conspiracy to bring us back into line as a prelude to our eventual return.” to bring to the EU”.
He also spoke about his flight in a Typhoon fighter jet last week before adding the Tory leadership: “After three dynamic and exciting years in the cockpit we will find a new leader and meld in loyalty around him or her.
“And the huge twin Rolls Royce engines of our Tory embassy, our Conservative values, will keep roaring – strong public services on the left and a dynamic free market economy on the right, boosting each other and developing trillions of pounds of thrust .
Boris Johnson plans to ask the House of Commons on Monday whether it has confidence in his caretaker government
“The reason we keep winning is because we’re the only party that understands the need for both. Whatever happens in this competition, we will continue to fight for the lowest possible taxes and the lightest possible regulation.’
Former Labor Secretary Kevin Brennan previously said it was “highly unconventional” for Mr Johnson to table a confidence motion in his own government, adding: “Although I suppose he is an unconventional person, as just an unconventional man would like to have the opportunity to speak at his own funeral.’
Union leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The deception never ends. What a relief for the country that they finally got around to sacking him.
“And in many ways the chaos of the last fortnight looks familiar. The third Tory leadership contest in six years. The latest bumper summer for graphic designers and brand managers. The latest parade of pretenders promising unfunded tax cuts.
‘The latest ministerial posts, awarded with a wink and a shake in exchange for a nomination. And TV debates are so embarrassing that even the candidates drop out.
“Every two years they swap out a failed prime minister.”
The debate came after a turbulent couple of months that saw Tory MPs force him to accept he must resign amid accusations of lying and breaking rules
Rishi Sunak has seen his votes steadily increase throughout the competition, but Penny Mordaunt has fallen sharply in the final round
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “Let’s think about a man who should never have come to office in the first place. A man who simply shouldn’t be here a minute longer because he showed no dignity in office, in the highest office in the country.’
He added: “He doesn’t deserve another day. Forget it, another seven weeks.’
Former Minister Sir Edward Leigh was among a group of Tory loyalists who expressed regret at Mr Johnson’s imminent departure.
He said: “I think we’re going to ask ourselves, what have we done? What have we done to a man who gave us that 80-seat majority?’
But SNP MP Stewart McDonald (Glasgow South) said: “We don’t have a government, it’s a government in name only, it’s essentially now a form of organized Tory hooliganism that’s lurking in those offices of state, that’s in those Departments of squats and squats especially in Downing Street.’
The vote comes as the race for the number 10 shifts up a gear tonight Liz Truss on the rise to rival Penny Mordaunt – as front runner Rishi Sunak a guaranteed spot in the runoff.
That foreign minister picked up some of the supporters of eliminated Attorney General Suella Braverman in the third round of voting by deputies, rising from 64 to 71, but not nearly enough to move up to second place.
Meanwhile, Ms Mordaunt suffered a major blow when she dropped a vote to 82 and appears to be struggling to keep momentum in her campaign as she faces further attacks over her stance on gender issues.
Crucially, only the best pair of Tory members make it into the runoff.
However, Kemi Badenoch – initially seen as an underdog – is still in the hunt, having amassed another nine endorsements that bring her to 58.
Some votes were up for grabs as MPs succumbed to Tom Tugendhat, who retired after finishing last at 30.
Mr Sunak’s team had feared he would not add much to his tally and instead expected him to benefit from Mr Tugendhat’s departure. But they were jubilant as he increased his score from 101 to 115.
Anything over 120 guarantees a spot in the bottom two, as there are 358 Conservative MPs in total.
The focus now moves to the fourth round of voting tomorrow and whether Ms Badenoch can overtake at least one rival to remain in the running.
