This week, Rishi Sunak will attempt to appease concerns within the Conservative party about his leadership, amidst ongoing rumors that Tory MPs may pursue his removal from Downing Street before the election.
The weekend saw allies of the prime minister engage in a defensive effort. Transport Secretary Mark Harper encouraged concerned colleagues to trust in the party leadership and remain committed, reminding them that politics is a collective effort.
Harper maintained that Sunak would spearhead the Conservative party in an upcoming election at the end of the year, despite rumors of dissent from MPs who are plotting to remove him in order to avoid a major defeat in the polls.
High-ranking officials recognized that Sunak encountered challenges in the past few days due to the Conservative Party donor controversy, the departure of Lee Anderson to Reform, and his budget not having a significant impact in the polls.
According to sources, members of the Tory party are being advised to remain resolute, as their best chance of winning the next election depends on a gradual improvement in the economy. One high-ranking member of the cabinet expressed concerns that swapping leaders before the election would be extremely detrimental, while another cautioned against falling into a cycle of hopelessness.
Sunak is about to experience another difficult week. On Monday, his bill to deport individuals back to Rwanda will be brought back to the House of Commons, while on Wednesday he is expected to meet with agitated Conservative backbenchers at the 1922 committee.
State officials have dedicated their time during the weekend to strengthening Sunak’s position. Harper expressed that Sunak will lead us towards the election and will confidently outline our government’s plan on Sky News. I will continue to show my support for him and have faith in my fellow colleagues to do the same.
The transport secretary stated that he advises his colleagues to prioritize making decisions that he believes are in the best interest of the country. He also mentions that the Prime Minister follows a similar approach of making sensible decisions.
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, known for his conservative beliefs, urged MPs to avoid focusing solely on themselves and instead come together to show a united front, even though he is not typically aligned with Sunak. He emphasized the importance of presenting a unified party to the public.
There has been recent speculation that certain right-wing MPs within the party are suggesting for Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the Commons, to become a “stalking horse” candidate in order to initiate a leadership contest before the upcoming general election.
Mordaunt has not publicly addressed the allegations, but her backers stated that she was not involved in or aware of any conspiracies. They believe that the rumors were spread by conservative opponents to discredit any potential competition she may pose in the future.
Some members of the Conservative party claim that Mordaunt has been actively strategizing for months, indicating her willingness to meet with MPs in their districts and become acquainted with their party representatives. Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, and Grant Shapps are also rumored to be considering a bid for leadership once Sunak steps down.
One former minister stated that the duration of our time without power, whether it be five or 10 years, is determined by our actions in the next six months. They expressed concern about the party’s behavior and some of their colleagues, stating that their unpredictable actions may cause a leadership contest to be initiated.
Bypass marketing promotion in newsletter
after newsletter promotion
Conservative party members were even more upset after seeing individual constituency surveys, as reported by the Mail on Sunday, that indicated the party was on track for their worst loss in history. According to the polls, Labour is predicted to secure 250 seats while the Conservatives may only win fewer than 150.
There was also frustration surrounding the way Downing Street handled the Frank Hester incident. The secretary of transportation, however, refuted claims on Sunday that the Conservative party has issues with race.
Former No 10 race adviser, Samuel Kasumu, expressed his frustration and disappointment with the party’s handling of the scandal. He emphasized that the issue goes beyond the prime minister and also includes his former colleagues who are serving as advisers. Kasumu stated that he is unsure about their actions and believes that they need to improve.
Rishi Sunak has faced criticism to return a minimum of £10m in donations received from Hester, following the Guardian’s disclosure of Hester’s remarks where he said that looking at MP Diane Abbott would make someone “hate all black women” and that she should be physically harmed. Hester has expressed remorse for his statements, but has refuted any insinuations of racial or gender-based intentions.
Tory leaders dismissed the likelihood of a new competition. A member of the cabinet stated, “There is no possibility of the party selecting a new leader before the upcoming election. The consequences would be severely detrimental. Certain individuals are intentionally stirring up problems, which is incredibly selfish.”
A different member of the cabinet stated: “Our current situation is quite discouraging, but the challenge lies in the fact that there are no simple solutions in politics and Rishi is receiving poor guidance. However, we must remain steadfast and shift our focus towards analyzing the actions of the opposing party.”
According to a source at Downing Street, most Members of Parliament are dedicated to supporting the Prime Minister and presenting a united front. This is crucial for our success and it is the Prime Minister’s goal to lead us in this effort.
Source: theguardian.com
