Thread by @cath_haddon

Still getting lots of questions about this.

Let's examine how it works.

If Johnson is ousted in a VONC, he is still PM. Until Conservatives appoint a new leader.

If he refused to recognise it you effectively have a party that has broken in two.

https://twitter.com/cath_haddon/status/1544672134122950660

He is still PM. Until someone else is in place. But he has effectively lost his majority.

That does not remove his powers as PM. But it does affect things where commanding confidence matter. Like asking for dissolution when there is a viable alternative govt in your own party.

The simplest solution for conservatives is to quickly agree on a replacement. But that seems unlikely.

But he cannot remain as PM if he is supported by only a rump of the conservatives.

In those circs the only formal way to remove him is a Commons VONC.

That could lead to GE

If a majority in Parliament made clear to Palace there is an alternative govt that can be formed then Queen can turn to that.

But if they can't do that, Johnson would be fighting an election with a split party.

And if the final suggestion in the 'mad idea' is followed and he tried to deselect all who had voted against, you again have split party fighting election.

The really difficult question is what Tory rules say about who has control of the party and the finances if they have ousted him as leader. If they agree a new person, surely that leader inherits CCHQ.

But then you are really getting into civil war territory.

Utter madness.

But am sure Labour would love to have a GE in those circumstances.

I will repeat. This is a barmy threat.

But it is one we've heard he's contemplated before.

Johnson has just completely just played down the idea of an election.

So i guess this whole 'masterplan' is the nonsense i thought it was.