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Tory MPs have criticized party MPs for calling for early elections, branding it a “really stupid idea” to hold elections so close to May’s local elections.
With the Conservatives battling consistently poor opinion polls that point to a crushing defeat for the party, there are concerns that Number 10 may have left the door open to a general election in June or July. There is also speculation.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly said it is the “working assumption” that the next poll will be held in the second half of this year, but has not explicitly ruled out holding it this summer.
However, one former cabinet minister said, “There is no question that the majority in Parliament wants early elections,” and it is “totally selfish” for MPs to want elections to be held before the autumn. he suggested.
He claimed the timing would be “outrageous”, with a landslide forecast for the Conservatives in the next local elections.
“Can you imagine saying that because I lost half of my city council seats, it would be best to have a general election? That someone who didn’t have a majority would think that was a good idea? “I don’t think so,” he continued.
“There is no doubt that these are people who are just trying to get a majority and save their own lives and don’t care about the future of the party.”
These sentiments were echoed by Conservative MPs, who added: “Only masochists want to go to the June election.”
Some Tory MPs and association chairs have suggested Rishi Sunak should go to the polls “sooner rather than later”, with one Conservative association chair saying: I “What Rishi has to do is end it.”
A former cabinet minister also commented on the timing of the next election, saying, “It’s crap anyway,” and “the sooner the better.”
They suggested Labor has been given a “free pass to kick us out again and again” on issues such as the National Insurance abolition plan, which the Opposition estimates will cost £46 billion a year.
Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday he would hold an election if people felt “things were improving” economically.
Speaking to BBC Radio Tease during a media round to local radio stations, the Prime Minister said: “I think people are saying things are improving and, as I said, we are moving towards a situation where we want to give people a sense of security.” I hope that people will feel that way even more.” Keeping in mind that there is a bright future ahead for them and their families, they will have a new sense of pride in our country. That’s the way it’s going and we’re heading in the right direction now. ”
In an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle, he said: There is no change in that. ”
Alongside discussions about holding an early election, some Tory MPs are also turning their thoughts to who would replace Rishi Sunak if the Prime Minister were to resign after damaging the party.
Members of the right-wing group Popular Conservatives (Popcon), founded by Liz Truss, have discussed running a “Trussian” candidate who supports the former prime minister’s free-market, liberal views. It is reported that
Former home secretary Priti Patel is said to be a likely candidate, but some Conservative MPs have questioned whether Popcon has enough influence to field a candidate.
While the former cabinet minister suggested he did not believe “Mr Pretty was the candidate” in a potential leadership contest, the backward MP said: I They said they “don’t know who Popcon thinks they represent.”
They added that it was “questionable” whether the group would be able to mobilize the up to 70 MPs it claims it needs to support Priti Patel.