TIME IS RUNNING OUST
Tory rebels plotting 100-day election ‘blitz’ to topple Rishi Sunak after expected drubbing at local elections
Rebel MPs have devised a five-point plan for a successor as PM
TORY mutineers will make a final bid to topple Rishi Sunak within days after an expected drubbing in this week’s local elections.
A coup is planned amid fears Labour could win three elections in a row.
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Rebel MPs will hold talks over the May Day Bank Holiday — having devised a five-point plan for a successor as PM to deploy in a 100-day policy blitz.
Popular measures would include reducing legal migration, cutting the benefits bill and an attempt to end the junior doctors’ pay dispute.
A Tory rebel source said: “No more tinkering, dithering or managerialism. We’ve got to be clear and bold, and with the right messenger.
“Otherwise, it could be two or three terms of Labour.”
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One rebel plan under consideration is a “coronation” for leadership contender Penny Mordaunt, with jobs for Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick.
But Ms Mordaunt has insisted there should be “no parliamentary gymnastics”.
Senior Tories believe the rebels are not near the 52 letters required to force a confidence vote — but that could change after the local elections.
A government source said: “The Prime Minister is focused on delivering for people across the country.”
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Meanwhile, Mr Sunak, in a Sky News interview, refused to rule out a July election, with a preferred option towards the end of the year.
He said: "I'm determined to make sure that people feel when the election comes that the future is better, that we have turned the corner.”
Experts say the Conservatives could lose between 400 and 500 councillors and their two most popular mayors — Ben Houchen and Andy Street.
Mr Street is running to remain as the Tory mayor for the West Midlands.
Meanwhile, Mr Houchen is battling to be re-elected the Conservative Mayor for Tees Valley.
Most Tory insiders think Mr Street could lose.
But Mr Houchen — known as the Red Wall Mayor — stormed to victory with 73 per cent of the vote in 2021.
If he loses then Tories expect the knives to come out for Mr Sunak.
Publicly, Labour are scrambling to play down the idea they could beat Mr Houchen.
But secretly they are desperate to show they are clawing back voters in the all-important Red Wall.
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Some think that this battle is personal for the party’s leader Sir Keir Starmer.
He nearly quit the position in 2021 when they lost the by-election in Hartlepool — which sits in Mr Houchen’s patch.
Rishi Sunak quotes Winston Churchill as he says Britain must get ready to defend itself
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