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Rishi Sunak has ruled out a general election in early May to fight for his future after repeated setbacks that have angered Tory MPs.
Conservative rebels have refused to return £10 million donated by a businessman who made racist comments about Diane Abbott and the controversy surrounding Lee Anderson’s defection to Reform Britain. He is emboldened by criticism of the prime minister.
Asked whether they were still considering holding a general election on May 2, the same day local elections are being held across the UK, Mr Sunak told ITV Westcountry: “We will hold a general election on that day. will not take place,” he said.
Other dates in May are considered very unlikely due to the logistical difficulties for local governments to hold two elections within a few weeks.
For the Prime Minister, holding an early election had been floated as one way to stop rebellious MPs from trying to replace him with a new leader. Officials have revealed the efforts to remove Sunak, which have been ongoing since the end of last year. I: “The mood has clearly changed this week. Members of Congress have gone from simply resigning, leaving their seats completely vacant, or simply resigning to being actively angry.”
The source said a letter of no confidence in the party’s leader was lodged by some MPs on Monday after Anderson, the former party vice-chairman who was suspended over allegations of racism, announced he was joining Reform Britain. claimed to have been done.
Mr Sunak will highlight the government’s plans on crime, immigration and the economy in the coming days, Number 10 sources said. This would allow the Rwanda Security Bill to return to the House of Commons after passing the Senate, potentially allowing the Rwanda Security Bill to be introduced in the House of Commons. It is on track to begin the long-delayed deportation flights to the East African country.
An official said: “What we can control is talking to people about the things that really matter to them, like the economy and immigration. In fact, this government has a very good story about crime rates since 2010. And things are better in places we control than in Labor-controlled areas like London. That’s what we have to talk about in the eight weeks leading up to local elections.”
The prime minister insisted there was no division within the party, saying: “In fact, I think the party agrees that we want to make sure we get rid of a Labor government, because our plan is the right one for this country.”
“And the fact is that we have had a difficult few years. Of course, that applies whether it is COVID-19, the recovery from it or the impact of the Ukraine war. But earlier this year, we really turned a corner and are now heading in the right direction.”
But Sir Keir Starmer called for a general election to be held as soon as possible, saying: “Please convene next week, convene on May 2nd. I think this country overwhelmingly wants change. They We hope to have a chance to end 14 years of turmoil, division and decline, and begin a decade of national rebirth.
“So I say to the Prime Minister, call us. We have the backbone to call it. Let this go to the general election on May 2nd, we are ready. These Let’s test that argument. We have a very positive case against this country, and the sooner we can bring that case, the better.”
Mr Sunak continues to resist pressure from Frank Hester to give up more than £10 million in donations, and news website Tortoise has reported that this has been the case since the latest Electoral Commission data on donations was published. It was reported that the businessman had donated a further £5m.
A Conservative Party spokesperson refused to confirm or deny the claims, saying: “Declarable donations will be published by the Electoral Commission in the normal way.”
Asked if he would reconsider retaining the funding, the Prime Minister told the broadcaster: “What he said was wrong and racist. I made that clear and he apologized for it. What they did was right. And where remorse is shown, I think it should be accepted.
“It is right to accept when someone expresses a feeling of sincere contrition or remorse for something they have done.”
Former Conservative Party leader Saeida Warsi is the latest party veteran to demand the return of donations. She told Times Radio: If individuals hold these views, they will not organize campaigns or form political parties on the back of money.
“So, in my view, an election that is based on money, and itself based on these divisive and harmful views, is going to lead to a divisive and harmful campaign. I know this party has enough money to return this £10 million donation. We must return it.”
Mr Hester’s £10 million donation represented more than a fifth of all donations declared by the Conservative Party last year, according to . I Analysis of numbers from the Election Commission.
Mr Abbott apologized for being “rude” after 2019 comments published in the Guardian this week in which he joked that he wanted to hate all black women.
Sir Keir told LBC: That’s a test for Rishi Sunak. He fails that test. And if this report is true, I think it raises serious questions about what his real motivations are for holding on to that money in the current environment. ”
As Tory gloom continues, Sir Brandon Lewis becomes the latest in a string of Conservative Party leaders to announce he will resign from Parliament at the time of the election. The former cabinet minister said on Thursday night he would not stand for re-election after 14 years as Great Yarmouth MP.