Tory MPs face dilemma over Monday’s partygate report vote
On Monday, the findings of the Privileges Committee, which concluded Boris Johnson intentionally misled Parliament over Partygate, will be subject to a vote, giving MPs an opportunity to express their views.
Whilst it’s likely the House will vote in support of the findings, Tory MPs are in a dilemma.
The former prime minister has already dismissed the report as “deranged” and his staunch supporters such as Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg are expected to vote against it.
But some Tory MPs are uncertain about their course of action, given Johnson’s popularity among many party members. It could see MPs choose to abstain or not attend the vote at all.
If they choose to vote against the recommendations it could alienate local party activists who desire Johnon’s departure. But supporting the report risks upsetting his fan base, who believes he has been unfairly targetted.
It’s not clear if PM Rishi Sunak will attend the vote. But the PM’s spokesperson said he would consider the report’s findings before Monday’s vote.
The report concluded that Johnson repeatedly misled Parliament over gatherings and Downing Street during lockdown. They said if he was still in Parliament, MPs would be voting on a potential 90-day suspension. But since he resigned last week, the committee’s main punitive measure is the revocation of his parliamentary pass, typically held by former MPs.