Bexleyheath and Orpington MPs back Boris Johnson in confidence vote

It took place after 54 Tory MPs wrote to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, challenging Boris Johnson's leadership.

The Prime Minister survived the vote with 211 MPs voting in his favour and 142 MPs voting against him.

MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, David Evennett, and Orpington MP, Gareth Bacon backed the Prime Minister.

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I’ll be backing Boris Johnson this evening.

As Prime Minister, he got Brexit done, delivered the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, and quickly restored our freedoms.

Now, he’s standing up to Putin and helping families meet the cost of living.

— Gareth Bacon MP (@GarethBaconMP) June 6, 2022

I will be supporting the PM in the vote this evening. I do not believe this is the right moment for a leadership contest, which would be extremely harmful to the country

— Sir David Evennett MP (@DavidEvennettMP) June 6, 2022

Both MPs announced their decision on Twitter before the vote was held.

Gareth Bacon said that Boris Johnson “restored our freedoms” by delivering the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe.

David Evennett also said it was not the “right moment” to challenge Boris Johnson’s leadership.

Gareth Bacon (@GarethBaconMP) explained: “I’ll be backing Boris Johnson this evening.

“As Prime Minister, he got Brexit done, delivered the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, and quickly restored our freedoms.

“Now, he’s standing up to Putin and helping families meet the cost of living.

“I’ve worked with Boris Johnson for 14 years, both at City Hall and now in Parliament.

“There’s no better communicator in politics today; he connects with people wherever he goes.

“He’s why we won in 2019, securing our biggest majority in more than three decades.

“Now is not the time for a navel-gazing leadership election.

“There’s war in Europe, post-pandemic inflation, and an energy crisis - changing leader would be a divisive distraction.

“We as the Conservatives must stand united, focus on the job, and deliver on people’s priorities.”

David Evennett (@DavidEvennettMP) said: “I will be supporting the PM in the vote this evening.

“I do not believe this is the right moment for a leadership contest, which would be extremely harmful to the country.”

Under current rules, now that Johnson has won a confidence vote, he cannot be challenged again for 12 months.

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