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Rishi Sunak’s position should be safe through the summer, despite the expected severe losses in May’s local elections, but if the party’s fortunes do not improve, he could face a loss by the end of the year. could face a challenge, Tory sources warned.
One minister dismissed as “absolute bullshit” a suggestion that a group of allies of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss would rebel in the face of negative local election results.
However, Conservative sources said the prime minister’s position could be in question if the party’s current polls do not appear to improve ahead of next year’s general election.
They warned that MPs at risk of losing their seats could be mobilized against him in November after he has served a year.
report Sunday Times If the May 4 local elections are particularly unfavorable for the Conservatives, it suggests that up to 60 MPs will back Johnson or Truss.
This was dismissed by the minister, who said I: “It’s complete Borock. Everyone expects us to be pasted and nobody wants to change.”
It is generally accepted that local elections do not go well for the Tories – one former minister said that in his first election test Mr Sunak was “overwhelmed” because “he is a manager, not a leader”. It is said that it will be done. .
But there are concerns that Sunak could face a challenge if many MPs believe their constituencies could be endangered in next year’s national elections.
A Tory source said MPs would want to go undercover for now, not wanting to risk public outrage by quickly replacing the party leader. Sunak suggested that if it becomes clear to members that they may be in danger of losing .
“We are sure there is one or two of the dedicated Boris who will use the elections to advance their cause,” the source said.
“It is almost accepted that the Tories have had a bad night and that coronations would also complicate matters. I do not think.
“Even if you don’t think Rishi is doing a great job, I think a lot of people think it’s best to just put your head down and wait a year and see if you risk losing. their own electoral seats.”
The former minister said Mr Sunak “will be challenged in November when the 12-month period expires”.
“Nobody will let me go to the election by 15-20 points,” they added. “Obviously no one will let Rishi run for office. He lost to Liz Truss in good faith.”
A source close to Johnson denied he was preparing a coup, claiming that “Boris Johnson supports the government.”
It also said Truss’ team was “absolutely” unaware of reports of a planned mutiny.