Johnson Appoints New Cabinet, Labour Says Confidence Vote If PM Stays On

A number of UK outlets reporting that PM Boris Johnson is set to appoint a new Cabinet of ministers, despite the fact that he is set to announce his resignation as Conservative party leader in the coming hours.

• Johnson seemingly putting together a Cabinet in anticipation of staying in power and governing for several months while the Conservative party holds a leadership contest, with a handover of power in early Oct at party conference.
• Wires and social media reporting that Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer will call a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons later this afternoon if Johnson'clings on' as PM. Unclear whether that means Johnson resigning today, or being given several weeks.
• Unlikely that a VoNC would go through. With Johnson set to announce resignation this is likely to placate Conservative MPs, many of whom would fear for their seats in a snap general election given chaos in the party at present.
• New Cabinet positions: Kit Malthouse as Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, James Cleverly to Education, Robert Buckland to Wales office, (arch-remain supporter) Greg Clark as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.