A Very British History Of No Confidence Votes – A Bluffer’s Guide

In order to remain in power, May and her ministers need more than 50% of MPs to vote against the no confidence motion.

However if she is defeated, May then has two weeks to try and muster up enough support to form a viable government.

If this option fails, Corbyn has the chance to form his own alliances and create an administration. But remember, neither party currently has a parliamentary majority.

After 14 days, May and her government would face a second confidence vote. If she loses that, a general election would triggered. Simple, right?

Key confidence votes in British history

James Callaghan

In what has been described as “one of the most dramatic nights in Westminster history” on March 28 1979, Prime Minister James ‘Jim’ Callaghan and his Labour government lost a confidence motion by a single vote, 311 – 310.

In a defeat not seen in parliament since 1925 – and only witnessed three times in the whole of the 20th century – Callaghan was forced to dissolve parliament and call a general election.