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Rishi Sunak will press ahead with plans for welfare reform and tax cuts to maintain his leadership in the face of a threat of challenge from his party.
The prime minister heads into a tough week of local elections rocked by the defection of former Conservative minister Dan Poulter, who joined Labor in protest at the government’s management of the NHS.
No10 sources have downplayed the impact of Dr Poulter’s defection on the prime minister, with Dr Poulter said to be focused on driving forward recent policy announcements and Mr Sunak’s move against the opposition. He denies suggestions that he is planning a snap election.
However, the prime minister faces threats from multiple factions within his party, with rebels poised to challenge his leadership if local elections result poorly.
He is expected to go on the campaign trail on Monday to press ahead with recently announced cuts to National Insurance, as well as highlight long-term plans to overhaul the benefit system.
Mr Sunak hopes these and other key policy interventions in recent weeks will be enough to convince voters not to leave the party in droves both in Thursday’s election and in national polls later this year. I’m sure you are.
He will also lobby MPs to strengthen support and focus on the government’s progress in specific policy areas.
But Westminster will be watching closely the outcome of the mayoral battle in the West Midlands and Tees Valley, where Andy Street and Sir Ben Houchen are fighting for survival.
One Conservative Party insider said a defeat in any of these contests could be enough to spark a rebellion against the prime minister.
Both elections are said to be close, but the latest polls show Mr Street is at risk of being ousted. Sources said losing Mr Street could destabilize Mr Sunak’s premiership.
The rebels are believed to be preparing to challenge the prime minister following the results, with insiders saying this is their last chance to oust Sunak and install a more favorable leader before the general election. I’m watching.
Mr Sunak is also trying to bring Boris Johnson back into the national election race in a bid to appeal to 2019 Tory voters who are increasingly leaving the party.
The two men are said to be discussing their future prospects, but it is unclear what role Johnson will play.
On Sunday, Mr Sunak again refused to rule out a snap election in July, despite being repeatedly pressed by Sky News.
But Number 10 denied reports it would hold a vote on Monday to stop the looming uprising.
A Downing Street source said: “The Prime Minister has made it clear that the assumption is that elections will be held in the second half of this year.
“Meanwhile, we remain focused on serving people across the country, and in the past two weeks alone, we have introduced groundbreaking welfare reform, passed the toughest legislation cracking down on illegal immigration, and delivered the greatest reinforcements.” has contributed to our defense in one generation.”
Mr Sunak suggested he could wait for economic conditions to improve, which would suggest an election later this year.
“I am determined to make sure that as we get closer to the election, the people feel that the future is better, that we have turned the corner,” he said.