Starmer urged to submit motion of no confidence in ‘disastrous’ Tory government

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to  push for a vote of no confidence in the Tories – with SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford vowing he will work with other opposition parties to try to make this happen in a bid to force an early general election.

Mr Blackford has written to Sir Keir – who as the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons is the only MP who can submit a formal vote of no confidence motion.

Mr Blackford told Sir Keir: “It is time to trigger a motion of no-confidence in this disastrous Tory government and – most importantly – it is time for people to have their say in a general election.”

Passing a  motion of no confidence in the Conservative government could trigger an early general election.

However, it is uncertain if such a motion would be passed, with the Tories holding a majority at Westminster.

But Mr Blackford insisted that “with a vacuum at the top of the Tory leadership”, the time was right to “trigger that motion and attempt to force a general election”.

Opposition parties need to “impose maximum pressure” on the Conservative government, the SNP MP added.

He urged Sir Keir: “I hope we can act together to stop this shambles, put maximum pressure on the Tories as they fight each other, and let the people have their democratic say in a general election.”

His comments came as he accused the Conservatives of having “taken a wrecking ball to the UK economy and made families suffer – as mortgage rates rise, pensions fall, and soaring inflation pushes up household bills”.

Mr Blackford continued: “Having done so much damage, they simply cannot be allowed to impose a third Tory prime minister without an election. It would be unthinkable and undemocratic. Voters must get a say.”

He argued it was now “vital that opposition parties work together to force a vote of no confidence, and pile pressure on the Tories to call a general election, so voters can decide”.