Theresa May is not as safe as she thinks | Vernon Bogdanor

The prime minister survived a Conservative party mutiny but could find her position untenable if her withdrawal deal is rejected

Theresa May last week won a vote of confidence from Conservative MPs. Under party rules, she cannot be formally challenged again for another 12 months. But this does not mean she is safe. Jeremy Corbyn is moving a vote of no confidence in her. There are other, more informal, ways in which either the cabinet or Conservative MPs can indicate that they seek an alternative leader. In her party, the leader leads and the party follows, except when the party decides not to follow. When that happens, the leader ceases to be leader.

Jeremy Corbyn also threatens a no-confidence vote in the government that if carried means, under the terms of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, a general election – unless an alternative government can be formed within 14 days. But, even if such a vote is not carried, the prime minister still needs to be able to command the confidence of the Commons on major policies such as the withdrawal agreement. If that is lost, while there is no constitutional requirement for a prime ministerial resignation or election, the prime minister may nevertheless come to find her position untenable.

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Read More Theresa May is not as safe as she thinks | Vernon Bogdanor

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