22 April 2024 , 08:09
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Speculation has been floated that Rishi Sunak could call a summer general election to avoid being challenged for the Tory leadership.
The Prime Minister has said he's looking at the second half of the year but has so far refused to name a date as he desperately battles to make a dent in Labour's double-digit poll lead. But senior figures in Downing Street are discussing whether to go for a summer election to thwart a possible leadership challenge against Mr Sunak, according to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg
The local elections on May 2 are seen as a moment of danger for Mr Sunak, as the Tories are expected to suffer major losses. Ms Kuenssberg told BBC's Newscast: "I'm not saying this is going to happen at all but to add to the endless running fountain of election date speculation, there's been a lot of chatter about an early election. Will Rishi Sunak be forced into naming the date after the local elections if there is some kind of Tory Armageddon or if things like Andy Street losing in Birmingham or Ben Houchen, the Mayor in Teesside, loses too?
"However, it was suggested to me this week, that there was a potential even more cunning plan to try to avoid the jangling horror of a post local election challenge to Rishi Sunak. Might he, could he, actually call the general election before the local elections? So might he call the general election at the end of April, have the general election in June and therefore avoid a post local election Armageddon and the challenge to his leadership?"
She said the idea was on the table and being discussed at a senior level - but there are other scenarios that are also in the frame. Mr Sunak is believed to be keen to hold out until inflation has fallen further and deportation flights to Rwanda have begun.
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The Prime Minister is expected to set out more detail on the plans at a No10 press conference this morning. MPs and peers have been deadlocked for weeks over legislation to unlock the plans - but it is expected to be forced through Parliament in a late-night sitting tonight.