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Tory grandees rallied around the Prime Minister last night amid mounting pressure on Rishi Sunak from Conservative ranks.
Former party leader Lord Howard declared the incumbent at No10 the “right man for the job” as he urged for MPs to “keep the faith”.
The ex-Home Secretary led the call for calm from political heavyweights as he claimed the Prime Minister is “doing the right things for our country”.
With small boat crossings for the year currently higher than at the same period in 2023, NHS waiting lists still struggling to fall, and interest rates still above 5 per cent there has been growing frustration at the Prime Minister’s leadership.
The most recent YouGov voting intention poll put the Prime Minister’s party on just 19 per cent, with Labour on 45.
Speaking to GB News, pollster Professor Sir John Curtice warned that on the current trajectory it would be impossible for the Conservatives to win the next election.
Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure from the Tory back benches
PA
He said: “Even a combination of the highest pre-election swing, and the worst ever polling error still does not get you to another Conservative Government.
“Of course, historical records are there to be broken, but they show likelihood.”
But urging for MPs to keep faith with Sunak, Lord Howard said: “We have seen before many big leads in the polls shrivel and die.
“Conservatives should keep faith in Rishi Sunak and hold their nerve.”
His pleas were echoed by former Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green who believes Sunak can still turn around the current polling.
“Politics is more volatile than ever so of course Rishi can turn this around. Changing leaders again would make us look ridiculous,” he said.
Lord Howard has led the pleas from Tory grandees for the party to stick by Rishi Sunak
PA
Conservative grandee Sir Michael Fabricant MP added: If the economy continues to improve and people find they have more money in their pockets, anything could happen at the next general election.
“Labour knows that and that’s why they keep calling for an election now.
“Nothing would change if we got a new PM other than voters thinking we have gone completely mad.”
No10 is understood to be particularly concerned about May’s local elections, with insiders fearing that heavy Tory losses may prove to be a catalyst for a genuine move to oust Sunak.
In response, Lord Lamont, who served in John Major’s Government, said: “He (Sunak) is by far and away the right man to lead us into an election.
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer warned: “The Conservative party is doing itself great damage by speculating about a change in leadership, we give the impression to the electorate that we are more interested in ourselves rather than what’s in the public interest.
“We have to concentrate on policies, the future and delivering for the British people.”
Lamont added: “The Prime Minister has an immense challenge but if we can get a bit of movement, then people will start to think about this again.
“Defeat is not inevitable if we can get some movement in the next few months.”
Sunak has described 2020 a “bounce back year” for the UK and is thought to remain optimistic that he can narrow the polls in the coming months as the economic picture improves.
Setting out his pitch last month, the Conservative leader said: “Wages are up. Energy bills are falling. Pensions are going up. Tax cuts are now already happening and benefiting people.
“That all just gives me the confidence that the future is brighter.”
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