Tory rebels warn of leadership coup if party faces significant losses in local elections

Tory Rebels Plot to Challenge Rishi Sunak’s Leadership After Local Elections

As the upcoming local elections loom, rightwing rebels within the Conservative party are gearing up to challenge Rishi Sunak’s leadership if the Tories suffer heavy losses and lose high-profile mayors. Despite most Conservative MPs believing that Prime Minister Sunak would survive a poor election outcome due to lack of a viable alternative, a group of rebels are determined to launch a final bid to topple him.

Anonymous Tory rebels have revealed to the Financial Times that a plan has been devised to destabilize or remove Sunak once the election results are announced. The threat of a coup attempt has created a tense atmosphere in Westminster, with speculation rife that Sunak may announce a general election date next week to preempt any challenge.

While Downing Street insiders dismiss the rumors of an early election as Labour mischief-making, Tory rebels claim to have a strategy in place to undermine Sunak and gather the necessary support from MPs to trigger a no-confidence vote. Despite Sunak’s allies highlighting his recent successes in securing Royal Assent for key bills and promises to boost defense spending, rebels argue that public sentiment towards Sunak remains negative.

With the possibility of losing up to 500 council seats in the local elections, Sunak’s allies are pinning their hopes on winning high-profile mayoralties to demonstrate Conservative strength. However, the rebels remain undeterred, with some MPs predicting a move against Sunak post-election.

As the Conservative party braces for potential infighting, the absence of a clear alternative to Sunak poses a challenge for the rebels. While some suggest Penny Mordaunt as a compromise candidate, the overall sentiment within the party is divided on the prospect of replacing Sunak with a fourth leader in a single parliament. The outcome of the local elections on May 2 will likely determine the future of Sunak’s leadership and the stability of the Conservative party.