Rishi Sunak’s position should be secure throughout the summer despite projected big losses in May’s local elections, but he could face difficulties later this year if the party’s position does not improve, Tory sources warn.
The minister dismissed as “utter nonsense” suggestions that a cohort of allies of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss would riot in the face of negative local election results.
But Tory sources say the prime minister’s position could be in jeopardy if the party’s current position in the polls doesn’t improve ahead of next year’s general election.
They warned MPs at risk of losing seats could oppose him in November after a year in office.
reports Sunday Times suggested there were as many as 60 MPs who backed Mr. Johnson or Ms. Truss, ready to oust Mr. Sunak if the May 4 local elections go particularly badly for the Conservatives.
This was rejected by the minister, who said I: “This is complete nonsense. Everyone expects us to get hit and no one wants change.”
It’s common knowledge that local elections won’t go well for the Tories: the former minister said Mr Sunak would “lose” this first election test of his because “he’s not a leader, he’s a manager.”
But there are fears that Mr. Sunak could run into trouble if enough MPs decide their constituencies could be in danger during next year’s national elections.
A conservative source said MPs want to keep a low profile for now and not risk public anger by changing leadership so quickly again. However, they suggested that Mr. Sunak might be at greater risk as members of the organization became more aware that they were at risk of losing their jobs.
“I am sure that there will be one or two of the most dedicated Borisovites who will use the elections to advance their cause,” the source said.
“The conventional wisdom is that the Tories will have a bad night and we will have a coronation, which will complicate things as well. But given the number of PM shifts we’ve had, I don’t think it’s very smart to do it again.
“I think there is a critical mass of people who, even if they don’t think Rishi is doing a great job, probably think it’s better to just keep their head down and give it a year and see if they manage to lose. their voting places.
The ex-minister said Mr. Sunak “will be challenged when his 12 months expire in November.”
“No one will let him lead us to elections 15-20 points lower,” they added. “Obviously no one is going to let Rishi fight for the election – for heaven’s sake, he lost to Liz Truss.”
A source close to Johnson denied that he planned the coup, insisting that “Boris Johnson supports the government.”
And Ms Truss’s team also said they “do not acknowledge at all” reports of a planned uprising.
Source: I News
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