News Brief
Day After Cabinet Reshuffle, No-Confidence Challenge Against UK PM Rishi Sunak Gains Momentum
Nayan Dwivedi
Nov 14, 2023, 11:17 AM | Updated 11:13 AM IST
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In a significant turn of events, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is now facing his first no-confidence challenge following the dismissal of Interior Minister Suella Braverman.
Party member Andrea Jenkyns has lodged a complaint with the 1922 Committee chairman, Sir Graham Brady, accusing Sunak of ousting the democratically-elected leader Boris Johnson, deeming it "unforgivable", reported The Times Of India.
Jenkyns expressed particular concern over the removal of Braverman, the lone cabinet member she believed had the courage to address issues such as the state of the streets and a perceived two-tier policing system affecting the Jewish community.
Jenkyns, voicing her discontent on social media, conveyed her submission of a no-confidence letter in Sunak, asserting her commitment to defending true conservatism.
She contended that Sunak's leadership, coupled with the public and party rejection of Boris Johnson, necessitated Sunak's departure from the position of UK Prime Minister.
The mechanism for replacing Sunak as UK Prime Minister would involve initiating a vote of no confidence within the Conservative Party.
This process would be triggered if 15 per cent of the party's Members of Parliament (MPs) submitted letters expressing their preference for a new leader.
The backdrop to this no-confidence motion lies in a recent cabinet reshuffle orchestrated by Sunak, which included the appointment of former UK prime minister David Cameron as the Foreign Minister.
The reshuffle was prompted by Sunak's decision to remove Braverman, who had faced criticism for unauthorised comments criticising the police.
Braverman's allegations of "double standards" in policing, particularly regarding right-wing demonstrators and pro-Palestinian marchers, had drawn scrutiny from opposition politicians and members within the Conservative Party.
Sunak defended the reshuffle on social media, emphasising the formation of a united team committed to delivering long-term changes for the country.
The new cabinet, according to Sunak, epitomises professionalism, integrity, and experience, promising bold decision-making for the nation's benefit.
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Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
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