All 315 Conservative MPs will be voting in a secret ballot between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday evening to decide whether they want Theresa May to continue as their party leader and Prime Minister.
May faces a vote of confidence in her leadership of the Conservative party with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee, releasing a statement that the magic number of 48 signatures, “has been exceeded.”
Sir Graham Brady announced, “The votes will be counted immediately afterwards and an announcement will be made as soon as possible in the evening.”
Speaking outside parliament, Sir Graham said he would ensure “a proper, well run, fair process conducted as speedily as we can, with a clear result produced this evening”.
If May has 158 supporters or more, she will continue and may not be challenged for the next 12 months. If she is forced out, Brexit could be delayed beyond March 29th if the EU accepts there has been political turmoil.
If Mrs May does not win the vote there would then be a Conservative leadership contest in which she could not stand.
There is also an option that even if Mrs May won, she may decide to stand down as party leader.
Jacob Rees-Mogg and his deputy Steve Baker, said, "Theresa May's plan would bring down the Government if carried forward. But our party will rightly not tolerate it,”
Those who could be listed in a leadership contest, immediately backed Theresa May with the foreign secretary, Sajid Javid and the home secretary, Amber Rudd sharpening their knives.
Mr Javid commented that, "The last thing our country needs right now is a Conservative Party leadership election. PM has my full support and is best person to ensure we leave EU on 29 March.”
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Mrs May said: "I will contest that vote with everything I have got,” adding that any new PM would have to scrap or extend Article 50 which could delay or stop Brexit.
May said that changing Conservative leader at this stage would "put our country's future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it".
"Weeks spent tearing ourselves apart will only create more division just as we should be standing together to serve our country. None of that would be in the national interest," said May in her statement.
"I have devoted myself unsparingly to these tasks ever since I became prime minister and I stand ready to finish the job."
Theresa May has been prime minister since shortly after the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, has faced criticism in her party for the Brexit plan she has negotiated.
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said today that businesses were watching events at Westminster with “utter dismay”. He said:
"At one of the most pivotal moments for the UK economy in decades, it is unacceptable that Westminster politicians have chosen to focus on themselves, rather than on the needs of the country.
"The utter dismay among businesses watching events in Westminster cannot be exaggerated. Our firms are worried, investors around the world are baffled and disappointed, and markets are showing serious strain as this political saga goes on and on.
"History will not be kind to those who prioritise political advantage over people’s livelihoods.
"Businesses need politicians, regardless of party or views on Brexit, to understand that their high-stakes gambles have real-world consequences of the highest order."
