Plymouth Labour councillors in Johnny Mercer’s Moor View constituency have written a joint letter to the MP demanding he reveals how he voted in Monday’s vote of confidence in Boris Johnson.

Mr Mercer has not yet spoken publicly about how or indeed, if, he voted in the ballot on Monday about the prime minister’s leadership of the Conservative party.

“We know that Mr Mercer’s fellow Plymouth Conservative MP Gary Streeter has told his constituents that he submitted a letter of no confidence in February,” said Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, leader of the Labour group on Plymouth City Council.

“We believe the residents of Moor View constituency are equally entitled to know their MP’s position on this very important issue especially as he described the current government as a ‘cesspit’ last year.

“It may be he was unable to vote for some reason but, even so, a timely declaration of whether he still supports Boris Johnson would be very welcome,” said Cllr Evans, who is a councillor in Ham ward in Mr Mercer’s constituency.

The letter from Honicknowle councillors Zoe Reilly and Mark Lowry, Ham councillors Tina Tuohy and Tudor Evans and St Budeaux councillor Sally Haydon is below.

Dear Johnny Mercer MP

As councillors representing wards in Moor View constituency we are calling on you to reveal how you voted in Monday’s no confidence vote in the Prime Minister. 41% of your fellow Conservative MPs indicated they had lost confidence in Boris Johnson’s position, fed up by the constant lies, rule-breaking, and sheer hypocrisy that he has displayed. Do you share their view or are you supporting and excusing his behaviour?

“Your current silence indicates that you have joined with the 59% of Conservative MPs who have chosen to ignore the views of the British public, and to continue their support for a Prime Minister who has been shown to break his own laws and continues to have no moral compass. The people of Moor View deserve better than this. The whole country deserves better than this. We all deserve more than a Government that has no plan to tackle key issues we’re facing, and instead wants to save face.

“We are asking you to set out what you will do to ensure Boris Johnson is held accountable. 

Do you back Boris Johnson – whose government you described as a ‘cesspit’ last year – or will you stand up for your constituents? It’s time to stop hiding and start acting. We need answers, and we need them now.

We look forward to hearing from you

Yours sincerely

Cllr Tudor Evans, Cllr Sally Haydon, Cllr Mark Lowry, Cllr Zoe Reilly and Cllr Tina Tuohy