Jeremy Corbyn said he will call a motion of no confidence when the time is right (Picture: AFP/PA)

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson revealed she tabled a motion to push for a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson less than 24 hours after he took up his new role at Number 10.

She said she has written to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, asking him to back the motion and bring forward the no confidence vote in the new prime minister.

Speaking on the BBC’s Newsnight programme on Wednesday night, Ms Swinson said: ‘We’ve tabled an EDM (early day motion) tonight, we’ve written to Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the opposition, who’s got the opportunity to call for a vote of no confidence.



‘I certainly look at this set of decisions and say I have absolutely no confidence in Boris Johnson.


‘The way this works in parliament is that it’s up to the leader of the opposition who has the opportunity to request [a vote of no confidence].’

The East Dunbartonshire MP only became Lib Dem leader on Monday, taking over from Sir Vince Cable after serving as his deputy since 2017.

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Labour leader Mr Corbyn already said he will table a motion of no-confidence ‘when appropriate to do so’ to trigger a general election, saying Britain ‘deserves’ one.

He warned Mr Johnson’s interest in a no-deal Brexit and relationship with Donald Trump would harm the UK.

He also condemned the ‘unrepresentative’ nature of Mr Johnson’s election by the members of the Tory party.

Mr Corbyn tweeted: ‘Johnson’s No Deal Brexit would mean job cuts, higher prices in the shops, and risk our NHS being sold off to US corporations in a sweetheart deal with Donald Trump.

‘The people of our country should decide who becomes the Prime Minister in a General Election.’

Ms Swinson later tweeted: ‘Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson.’

Jeremy Corbyn has threatened a vote of no confidence to trigger a general election (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Boris Johnson leading his first Cabinet meeting today (Picture: PA)

A motion of no confidence is a motion moved in the House of Commons with the wording: ‘That this House has no confidence in HM Government’.

If such a motion is agreed to and a new government with the support of a majority of MPs cannot be formed within a period of 14 calendar days, Parliament is dissolved and an early General Election is triggered.

A motion of no confidence is one of only two ways in which an early General Election may be triggered under the terms of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011.

July 25 is the latest date that MPs are able to table a motion of no confidence before the summer recess.

It will then be debated by MPs on the first day back after recess on September 3.

Mr Johnson and his promise to deliver Brexit on October 31 ‘no ifs, no buts’ may spur Remain MPs to table a motion of no confidence to ensure there is no chance the UK will leave the EU without a deal.

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