UK leaders on borrowed time

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a no-confidence vote taken by lawmakers of his Conservative Party, surviving by a 211-148 margin. However, challenges rarely end well for incumbents
  

63 MAJORITY
2022, Boris Johnson: Four in 10 MPs vote against him, closer margin than expected
   
83 MAJORITY
2018, Theresa May: Prime minister wins confidence vote by 200-117. Despite majority, she resigns just five months later, paving way for Boris Johnson
     
107 MAJORITY
1995, John Major: Prime minister stands in “put up or shut up” leadership election amid speculation among Tories about his future.

Running against Eurosceptic John Redwood, Major wins confidence vote 218-111 – with support of two in three Tory MPs.

Less than two years later, Major loses general election to Tony Blair’s Labour party

52 MAJORITY
1989, 90, Margaret Thatcher:
Prime minister wins leadership challenge with backing of 84% of MPs.

Within one year, she faces second challenge from Michael Heseltine. Thatcher wins vote by 204-152 – but is four votes short of margin needed to avoid second round. Her most senior supporters tell her she will lose.

Thatcher resigns, John Major becomes prime minister


Sources: Financial Times, Reuters, UPI 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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