Definition of Vote of No Confidence

YourDictionary defines a vote of no confidence as a motion put before parliament to defeat or embarrass an opposing party. Typically, the term appears in reference to politics, especially British and American politics.

A vote of no confidence is also called a motion of no confidence, a censure motion, a no confidence motion, or a confidence motion. According to Westminster parliamentary procedure, governments often respond to a vote of no confidence by calling for a confidence motion. Parliament passes or rejects the vote. Typically, when a vote of no confidence passes parliament, the government official must either resign or seek a parliamentary dissolution or general election.

While the vote of no confidence is rarer these days, in recent times, several political leaders have come under fire and a vote of no confidence has been called for by the opposing party. Many parliamentary and presidential political systems include the vote of no confidence in the political playbook.

Many people mistakenly associate a vote of no confidence with the term impeachment. The two words mean different things. Impeachment implies that a crime has been committed by a government official. Impeachment is a rare political process. Other political leaders in America, from the Attorney General to the local sheriff, may receive a vote of no confidence. A vote of no confidence doesn’t imply that the person under vote has committed a crime, however.

Usage Examples

• The prime minister’s incompetence spurred an angry parliament to call for a vote of no confidence.
• The senator requested a vote of no confidence in the Attorney General after the botched FBI raid.

Examples of Vote of No Confidence

• The first record of a vote of no confidence occurred in the United Kingdom in 1782 immediately after the British defeat in the American colonies at Yorktown. Then Prime Minister Lord North presented his resignation to King George III. In modern times, parties typically handle disputes among themselves and votes of no confidence are rare.
• In presidential systems such as the United States, votes of no confidence can occur. One example of a vote of no confidence in the United States occurred in the 1950s when U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson received a vote of no confidence. Very recently, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez also received a vote of no confidence.
• Unlike the British system, in Germany the Chancellor is not required to resign if he or she receives a vote of no confidence.
• In modern times, votes of no confidence are relatively rare occurrences in democracies. Parties typically handle tiffs among their members without resorting to the vote of no confidence.