Who is Sir Graham Brady? MP for Altrincham and Sale West announces vote of no confidence in UK Prime Minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face a vote of no confidence from Conservative MPs tonight after discontent in the party triggered the ballot.

Sir Graham Brady, the Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, and chairman of the 1922 Committee, confirmed on Sunday he had received the 54 letters from Conservative MPs required for the poll to take place.

The secret ballot comes after Mr Johnson has struggled to fend off criticism over ‘Partygate’ after the Sue Gray report highlighted lockdown laws being broken in a series of alcohol-fuelled gatherings at 10 Downing Street during the pandemic - as well as facing dissent over some of his policies and a perceived failure to get to grips with the cost of living crisis. He and his wife Carrie Johnson were booed by the public when they attended a Queen’s Jubilee event over the weekend.

Who is Sir Graham Brady MP?

Sir Graham was born in Salford and attended Altrincham Grammar School. He studied law at Durham University where he was involved in student politics, and became a Tory MP in 1997, when he was elected to Altrincham and Sale West by a majority of 1,505.

He has since served on a number of select committees and is now chairman of the 1922 committee. He was a supporter of Brexit in the 2016 referendum. He was awarded his knighthood in 2018 for services to the public and politics.

He is married with two children and met his wife Victoria Lowther at Durham University.

What is the 1922 committee?

The 1922 Committee is a group of backbench Conservative MPs which meets weekly and elected Sir Graham as its chairman.

According to UK Parliament, it was set up in 1923 to ‘facilitate cooperation within the party.’ Frontbenchers can attend its meetings but not be committee members.

A vote of no confidence or triggering of a leadership election can happen if 15% of Tory MPs write a letter to the chairman of the 1922 committee - 54 MPs is the current number required.

Sir Graham said today: “I have followed the rules that we have in place. I notified the Prime Minister yesterday and we agreed the timetable for the confidence vote to take place.

“He shared my view, which is also in line with the rules that we have in place, that that vote should happen as soon as it could reasonably take place, and that would be today.”

Mr Johnson will address the 1922 Committee later this afternoon in an attempt to save his job.

A No 10 spokeswoman responded: “Tonight is a chance to end months of speculation and allow the Government to draw a line and move on, delivering on the people’s priorities.

“The PM welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs and will remind them that when they’re united and focused on the issues that matter to voters, there is no more formidable political force.”

When will we know the results of the vote of no confidence?

The ballot will take place at Westminster on Monday (6 June) between 6pm and 8pm and votes will be counted straight after it closes - meaning the result should be known on Monday night.

To oust the Prime Minister, at least 180 MPs will need to vote against him.

Which MP might succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister if he goes?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak at one point was being touted as a potential new leader but his popularity has been dented after he too was fined over Partygate and his wife faced questions over her UK tax status.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is seen as popular within the party, while Health Secretary Sajid Javid has also been touted, having held many senior roles in government already.

Other names being mentioned include former leadership contender Jeremy Hunt who is the current bookies favourite and deputy prime minister Dominic Raab.

Will a general election be called if Mr Johnson loses?

Mr Johnson’s departure would trigger a leadership vote to name the next Tory leader and hence prime minister. If he wins, he is immune from another challenge for a year.

The next General Election has to be held by January 2025, however a prime minister can call a general election early.