vote of no confidence

Also no-con·fi·dence vote

[voht uhv noh kon-fi-duhns]

noun

1. 1. (in a legislative or similar body) a vote of confidence, from the perspective of those demanding it in the hope of a negative outcome for the party or person in power.

      The board of directors survived a vote of no confidence Wednesday.

   2. a negative outcome of such a vote; a decision by the majority of members of a legislature or similar body against the person or party in power.

      UK prime minister James Callaghan was defeated by a vote of no confidence in 1979.

2. any formal vote, as in a general election, in which the majority votes against the person or party in power.

   The election was a clear vote of no confidence in the PM—not only did his party lose, but he lost his own seat.

3. any expression of lack of support or confidence.

   He says the existence of militias in his country is a vote of no confidence in the government's ability to provide justice and security.

vote of no confidence

noun

1. Also called: vote of censure. parliament a vote on a motion put by the Opposition censuring an aspect of the Government's policy; if the motion is carried the Government is obliged to resign

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote of no confidence¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

She could face a vote of no confidence in the coming weeks over the leaked video, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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Some branches have called for a vote of no confidence in the chairman at a meeting next month.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has come under pressure to name a new prime minister quickly after François Bayrou lost a vote of no confidence and on Tuesday handed him his resignation.

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Last June, unionized workers who were poised to strike sent a letter to the Sierra Club’s board of directors informing them they had issued a vote of no confidence in the leadership.

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That means Benjamin Netanyahu will have a break from the threat of a vote of no confidence from the extremist nationalists in his coalition who oppose a ceasefire in Gaza.

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