The United Kingdom is edging closer and closer to a General Election as Boris Johnson’s government looks set to lose its majority in the House of Commons.
The government, which currently has a Parliamentary majority of just one MP, will likely be forced into an early general election as Conservative MPs face expulsion from the party.
This comes after the Prime Minister issued a threat, saying any MP that defies him and votes to block a no deal Brexit will lose the party whip.
According to ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston, 22 MPs are willing to resign the whip tomorrow in crucial Brexit votes, thus forcing a General Election.
The Conservative party led by Mr Johnson currently only has a parliamentary majority of just one MP. This arithmetic already takes into account the confidence and supply arrangement entered with the Democratic Unionist Party.
This means if just one Tory MP either resigns or is expelled from the party, Mr Johnson will not be able to command a majority in the House of Commons, meaning he will have to travel to Buckingham Palace to inform The Queen that an election needs to take place.
MPs who are facing expulsion from the Conservative Party are known as the ‘Gaukward Squad’ led by former Lord Chancellor David Gauke. Other members include former Chancellor Philip Hammond and Father of the House Ken Clarke.
Who is in the Gaukward Squad?
Alistair Burt PC Sir Oliver Letwin PC Greg Clark PC Sir Nicholas Soames PC Stephen Hammond Sam Gyimah Dame Caroline Spelman Dr Phillip Lee Guto Bebb Justine Greening PC Antoinette Sandbach Steve Brine Ed Vaizey Richard Harrington Sarah Newton Anne Milton David Gauke PC Philip Hammond PC Ken Clarke CH QC Dominic Grieve QC PC David Lidington CBE PC Rory Stewart OBE PC
The Queen will be watching events carefully from Balmoral Castle.
