Former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke has taken a bold stance by calling on Rishi Sunak to resign as prime minister. In a scathing critique, Sir Simon stated that Mr Sunak has transformed from an asset to an anchor, and under his leadership, the Conservative Party is facing an electoral “massacre”. According to Sir Simon, the country is on the verge of being governed by Labour’s Keir Starmer for a considerable period of time, and if Nigel Farage returns to the political scene, the extinction of the Conservative Party becomes a very real possibility.
Sir Simon acknowledges that Mr Sunak is not exclusively responsible for the party’s current predicament. However, he asserts that Mr Sunak’s uninspiring leadership is the primary obstacle to the party’s recovery. In a candid article for The Telegraph, Sir Simon boldly proclaims that Rishi Sunak is leading the Conservatives into an election where they will be utterly decimated.
Sir Simon Clarke’s call for Mr Sunak’s resignation comes at a time when the prime minister is facing various challenges. Falling approval ratings and discontent within his own party over the deportation plan for asylum seekers have created a tense environment. Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby recently reported that several letters of no confidence in Mr Sunak had been submitted to the backbench 1922 Committee of the Conservative Party. However, in order to trigger a leadership contest, at least 53 such letters need to be sent.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, echoing Sir Simon’s sentiments, also expressed her desire for Mr Sunak to step down. Her support for a change in leadership further emphasizes the growing discontent within the Conservative Party.
Sir Simon Clarke understands the apprehension within the party regarding another change in leadership, acknowledging that it could be perceived as ridiculous. However, he poses a striking question: What could be more absurd than passively accepting an avoidable annihilation simply because the party is unwilling to listen to the concerns of the public?
Sir Simon suggests that a leadership contest does not have to be a protracted affair. As previously planned in October 2022, the contest could be completed within a week. Two days of voting by MPs, followed by a few additional days for an online members’ vote, would determine the new leader. The alternative, according to Sir Simon, is a decade of decline under Keir Starmer.
Nadine Dorries, a Boris Johnson loyalist who resigned from the House of Commons last year, has long been critical of Rishi Sunak and expresses support for Sir Simon’s calls for resignation. However, multiple Conservatives have spoken out in defense of the prime minister.
Former defense and trade secretary Sir Liam Fox warns that this is not the time for self-indulgence or tribalism within the party. He cautions those seeking to destabilize the government, reminding them of the consequences and emphasizing the difficulties of being in opposition.
Former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis dismisses the situation as “getting silly” and insists that MPs should prioritize the interests of the UK over their personal leadership ambitions.
Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel urges the party to focus on the people they serve and deliver for the country, emphasizing the need for unity and the completion of the job at hand.
Unsurprisingly, opposition parties are unimpressed with the Conservative Party’s internal struggles. Labour’s shadow paymaster general, Jonathan Ashworth, highlights the government’s failure to address critical issues such as the cost of living crisis and the state of the NHS. He sees these internal conflicts as proof that change is needed after 14 years of Conservative governance.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper criticizes the Conservative Party’s consideration of installing a fourth prime minister without consulting the voters. She believes it is time for Rishi Sunak to…
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