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The mood among many Tory members has been described as “bleak” after Rishi Sunak surprised almost everyone by calling a general election in July and convening a new group of MPs who decided to resign. .
Four Conservative Party members have said they will not contest seats in the general election until 24 hours after the snap election is called.
Rail Minister Hugh Merriman was the latest to announce the decision, following Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing, Work and Pensions Secretary Jo Churchill and James Grundy.
It comes as some in the Conservative Party question the Prime Minister’s decision to vote in the early hours of July 4, with one MP saying: I“Looks like you’ve given up?”
Some described the atmosphere among colleagues as “dark.”
Some say Mr Sunak should have stuck to the plan MPs believed he had for the autumn election to give the economy more time to recover and the government to implement other policies. .
One senior Conservative MP said “most” of his colleagues wanted to withdraw in the autumn. “We thought we could get a new budget, further tax cuts and so on.”
Ex-Conservative spud: “I just feel angry. There could have been more time. They should have at least tried. I think in a few weeks I’ll be excited but not now.”
They added that Mr Sunak’s rain-soaked election speech outside No 10 on Wednesday was “utterly shocking”.
But despite the turmoil, sources denied that Mr Sunak had called an election because the number of no-confidence motions submitted to the 1922 Committee meant that a vote was on the brink.
I It is understood that the Prime Minister has in fact been planning for a summer election for some time.
A source close to the rebels, who tried unsuccessfully to oust Mr Sunak in recent months before calling off a coup after the local elections, said there had been no major influx of letters, adding that if there had been, “it had nothing to do with us”.
Another source close to the former rebel group said the idea that MPs were now trying to force a leadership vote to prevent a snap election was “totally overreach”.
Mr Sunak denied that the real reason for calling an election in the summer was because inflation is expected to rise again and there could be a surge in small boat arrivals over the summer.
“No, that’s not the real reason,” the Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast.
“And when it comes to the economy, of course we know there is still work to be done, and we know that our citizens are only just beginning to feel the benefits of the changes we have made.
“And while it’s difficult for some to check their bank balance at the end of each month, we are definitely making progress and stability is returning.”
Mr Sunak said he chose to hold an election earlier than many had expected because “the economy has improved”.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to explain why,” the Prime Minister told GB News.
“I am pleased to see economic stability returning to the country after a difficult few years.
“We have just seen inflation return to normal, the economy once again growing at a healthy pace, and wages rising sustainably for several months, with the benefits still being fully felt by everyone. I know that’s not the case, but it’s clear that things have improved.”
“So now is the time to look to the future, and the world is clearly in a more uncertain situation than it has been in recent decades. And the question for the country is, the choice of this election will be about who comes up with the boldest ideas.” and have the clearest plan to provide you and your family with a secure future.”