Two executive members said it was possible the 1922 Commission would decide to change the rules to allow for a vote of confidence at an executive meeting Wednesday afternoon. Johnson is protected by current rules, which grant a year of immunity after he won a vote a month ago. If the executive changes the rules, and several MPs have written to Sir Graham Brady to demand a new vote of confidence, then it can be done immediately. “The first vote was activated and took place on the same day – we can move quickly if needed,” said one MP. But the committee is split on how to proceed, and one said at least six committee members could not make the regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. because of other commitments – including questioning Johnson at a meeting of the Liaison Committee of Select Committee Chairmen. An executive member said there was a need for cool heads and for every decision to have absolute honesty. “We have to calmly navigate our position and find a balance in what needs to happen,” the MP said. “We have to ask ourselves whether we should make a decision of this magnitude at this time. Is it wise? What it means for future leaders.” There are other options open to committee members, including waiting until new members are elected to the executive, which is expected to happen next week. Others prefer a delegation to see the prime minister to give him a chance to resign. An executive member said they could make it clear to MPs that if 50% of the parliamentary party – enough for the prime minister to lose a vote of confidence – wrote to Brady to demand a change of leader, the prime minister would know he had to go. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Two cabinet ministers, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, resigned on Tuesday citing Johnson’s behaviour. A number of former loyalists either resigned or withdrew their confidence in Johnson – including vocal Johnson supporters such as Jonathan Gullis and Lee Anderson. Other MPs seen as the party’s best men who backed Johnson in the confidence vote – such as Robert Halfon, the select chairman of the education committee – also said the prime minister should now step down.
