PM shouldn't be forced into election just because he's unpopular, says top Tory

21 March 2024 , 08:26

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Rishi Sunak says he expects an election in the second half of the year (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rishi Sunak shouldn't be forced to call a general election just because polls show the public want him out, a minister said.

The embattled PM faces a growing leadership crisis within his own party, with plotters hoping to install a new leader in the coming weeks. Polls show the Tories lagging a long way behind Labour, with pressure mounting on him to finally send the country to the polls.

But Dame Andrea Leadsom said her boss's huge unpopularity isn't reason for him to rush. She told Sky News: "You don't call a general election just because there is a particular mood or a particular situation."

Mr Sunak told PMQs on Wednesday that his "working assumption" is that there will be a general election in the second half of the year. In a difficult exchange for the Tory leader Keir Starmer told him cabinet members are lining up to replace him.

Dame Andrea said: "We have periodic general elections, and the Prime Minister has set out quite clearly an autumn timeframe. You don't call a general election just because there is a particular mood or a particular situation, that very, very rarely happens."

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Andrea Leadsom has defended Rishi Sunak on Sky News (PA)

She said it would be "much better for the country" to focus on the government's programme - including cutting inflation and pushing through the Rwanda Bill. Last night the controversial deportation plan suffered another huge setback after peers inflicted seven defeats, meaning it won't become law until after Easter.

Mr Sunak has been accused of chickening out after ruling out a general election on May 2 - the day voters have their say in council and mayoral elections. Earlier this week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt let slip it could happen in October.

Mr Starmer told the Commons the PM is "scared" of going to the country after chickening out of a May election. And after Mr Sunak stammered through a response about Government failures, Mr Starmer said: "You could see why he doesn't want an election, why his party has lost faith in him, why half his cabinet are lining up to replace him. No answers, no plan, no clue."

But Mr Sunak issued a call to arms to Conservative MPs in Parliament as he battled to assert his authority following days of speculation about his position. And in a BBC interview he insisted his plan for the country was working and "2024 will prove to be the year that the economy bounces back".

A number of MPs have been linked with the top job if Mr Sunak faces a no-confidence vote - with Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman rumoured to be eyeing up going for it.

Dave Burke