Confidence Vote
A confidence vote is a parliamentary vote that tests whether the government retains the legislature’s support to govern. In the UK House of Commons, confidence can be tested directly by a confidence or no-confidence motion; if confidence is clearly lost, convention expects the prime minister either to resign or request Parliament’s dissolution, leading to a general election.
A confidence vote is a parliamentary vote that tests whether the government retains the legislature’s support to govern. In the UK House of Commons, confidence can be tested directly by a confidence or no-confidence motion; if confidence is clearly lost, convention expects the prime minister either to resign or request Parliament’s dissolution, leading to a general election.
Example: On 28 March 1979, the House of Commons defeated the Labour government on a no-confidence motion by 311 votes to 310. Prime Minister Jim Callaghan then said he would request Parliament’s dissolution and take the case to the country.
Common misconception: A U.S. congressional resolution expressing “no confidence” in a President is not equivalent to a parliamentary confidence vote: such a resolution has no specific legal effect and does not itself remove an executive official.
Sources: House of Commons Library, “Commanding confidence”; House of Commons Library, “Votes of no confidence”; Congressional Research Service, “Congressional Censure and ‘No Confidence’ Votes Regarding Public Officials”