British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a confidence vote in his leadership on Monday as 211 Conservative MPs voted for him to remain their leader. But the final result, which Johnson insisted was decisively in his favour, saw 148 Tory members of parliament vote 41.8% against him, compared to 58.8%.

The figure has his critics saying it is not good for his long-term future as party leader, while his supporters point to the support of the majority in the party. The vote was held by secret ballot, with 359 Conservative MPs (excluding abstentions) winning the challenge by 180 votes.

His allies have been keen to stress that even a one-vote victory would quell an issue that has overshadowed the administration’s focus on other pressing political issues.

“Tonight is an opportunity to end months of speculation and allow the government to draw a line and continue to deliver on the people’s priorities,” Downing Street said in a statement. “The Prime Minister welcomes the opportunity to express his views to MPs which will be a reminder that there is no stronger political force when they are united and focused on issues that matter to voters,” it said.

The vote came as Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the powerful 1922 Tory backbencher committee, announced he had received the 54 letters of no confidence needed to trigger the vote. Under current Conservative Party rules, Johnson is now immune to a backbench challenge for at least 12 months.

But the political consensus is that he is in no way safe, with two crucial by-elections on June 23, and major defeats in those by-elections could be seen as a referendum on his leadership and perpetuate backbench discontent. In many ways, Johnson’s leadership is still in play, as his grip on the party has been shaken.