British PM Boris Johnson wins Conservative party’s vote of no confidence

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived Monday’s vote of no confidence by his Conservative MPs, after a series of scandals that left the party in limbo.

Just over two years after an overwhelming victory in the general election, the leading figure in Brexit once again proved his ability to escape political hot water to stay in power.

But the “Partygate” controversy during the lockdown at Downing Street, which saw him become the first UK Prime Minister to break the law, further weakened his position sharply.

Although 211 Conservative members voted in favour, 148 did not.

Johnson, 57, needed the support of 180 members to survive the vote-a majority of one of the 359 Conservatives in Parliament.

His defeat would have put an end to his term as party leader and prime minister until a replacement was found in an internal leadership contest.

In previous Conservative elections, predecessors Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May both resigned in spite of having narrowly won their votes, deciding that their premierships had suffered irreparable damage.