Skip to content Accessibility statement

Expert Reaction: May faces vote of no confidence

News

Posted on Wednesday 12 December 2018

A lecturer in British politics at the University of York comments on the latest leadership challenge facing Theresa May, ahead of a vote of no confidence that is set to take place on Wednesday, 12 December.
May faces a vote of no confidence

Dr Jim Buller, from the University's Department of Politics, said: "The decision by Brexiteers to trigger a leadership contest at this time does not make sense, even if they win it.

"The Brexiteers don't agree on who they want to replace May. They are not clear concerning what they want as an alternative Brexit deal.

"Even if they were clear, it is extremely unlikely that the EU will be willing to renegotiate the deal on the table, thus precipitating a no deal Brexit.

No Deal Brexit 

"It isn't even clear that all Brexiteers are comfortable with a no deal scenario, which of course will be opposed by the majority of MPs in the House of Commons.  

"The only thing that seems clear is this decision to trigger a leadership election at this time could be potentially disastrous for the Conservative Party's electoral fortunes.

"They could find themselves out of power again for a substantial amount of time." 

Research newsletter

Our monthly research newsletter features a curated mix of news, events, and recent discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up

Explore more news

News

22 April 2026

A University of York researcher has helped identify an East African bat coronavirus capable of entering human cells.

News

22 April 2026

Thousands of schoolchildren across the UK and beyond are being invited to take part in a live online storytelling event from an historic railway carriage with author Michael Morpurgo.

News

16 April 2026

Researchers have redefined what it means to have positive mental health - identifying six essential elements which experts say could bring long-awaited clarity to the field.

News

13 April 2026

The ‘rubbish’ left behind at a deserted medieval village in an isolated area of Yorkshire could hold clues about how societies achieve long-term ‘green’ prosperity, new research suggests.

News

13 April 2026

A specialist physiotherapist has been awarded a national research fellowship to help improve care and support for people living with brain tumours.

Read more news