confidence vote

In politics, a test of support for the government in the legislature. In political systems modelled on that of the UK, the survival of a government depends on assembly support. The opposition may move a vote of ‘no confidence’; if the vote is carried, it requires the government, by convention, to resign.

In Germany, a ‘constructive vote of no confidence’ is held in which a majority of assembly members are required to vote positively in favour of an alternative executive leader (or chancellor).

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The last prime minister to be defeated in the House of Commons and forced to resign was Labour prime minister James Callaghan in 1979. He lost the subsequent general election to Margaret Thatcher.