Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to contest a vote of confidence in her leadership, warning that removing her could delay or even stop Brexit. In a direct appeal to Conservative MPs, she argued that a new leader would be forced to extend or rescind Article 50, the mechanism for leaving the EU on 29 March.
Speaking outside Downing Street, May said a leadership change would create uncertainty and risk handing control of Brexit negotiations to opposition MPs. She emphasised that a new leader would not have time to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement and pass legislation by the March deadline.
The confidence vote was triggered after the required 48 letters from Tory MPs were submitted to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee. The ballot will take place between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday, with results expected by 10pm. Brady confirmed that the threshold was exceeded on Tuesday, though some letters may have been withdrawn.
May warned that her removal would benefit Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying, “The only people whose interests would be served would be Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell.” She has received public support from several cabinet colleagues but faces a secret ballot where the outcome remains uncertain.
If May wins, she cannot face another confidence vote for 12 months. A narrow victory, however, could increase pressure on her to step down. If she loses, a leadership contest would follow, with MPs whittling down candidates to a shortlist of two.
