UK politics – live: Tory MP Dan Poulter defects to Labour as plot hatched to oust Sunak before election

Rishi Sunak goes through a space by desperate factual-flit Tory MPs planning to ditch the pinnacle minister and change him with Penny Mordaunt to manual sure of an electoral wipeout, it’s claimed.

After the prime minister was dealt a blow by the defection of former minister Dr Dan Poulter, Tory rebels hatched a “100 days to save Britain” idea whereby Ms Mordaunt – best known for wielding a ceremonial sword at the King’s coronation – would become PM.

The unusual idea is reportedly consistent with fears that the party might suffer significant losses in this week’s local elections, with MPs planning a series of “quick wins” to bolster Mr Sunak’s prospects for a general election this autumn.

The rebels are talked about to take into accout that if Commons chief Ms Mordaunt took energy and launched a series of factual-flit initiatives on tax, immigration and other components, it might maybe maybe maybe avert a Labour landslide in the election later this 300 and sixty five days.

One Tory insurrectionist told the Sunday Telegraph: “In fact, we’re facing an extinction-level event. It’s for colleagues to decide if they should go down with the ship.”

However, Ms Mordaunt is said to have dismissed speculation about her as ‘codswallop’. Mainstream Conservatives argue that a shift to the right would make the party even less popular.

And Ms Mordaunt’s Tory critics complain that, contrary to winning praise for her striking style at the coronation, she lacks political skills.

A Tory MP told The Times: “My concern is that we don’t have an effective response to Reform. We have a liability who is ill-suited to appealing to voters in the red wall. He is seen as an out-of-touch multimillionaire who doesn’t share their instincts. If we lose Tees Valley [in the mayoral election] that would also be disastrous.”

The five-point plan involves efforts to end the junior doctors’ pay dispute, curb immigration, increase defence spending, cut the benefits bill, and impose tougher sentences for serious offenders.

And ahead of what is usually a make-or-break week for Mr Sunak’s premiership, the prime minister again refused to rule out going to the country this summer, keeping the door open to a July general election.

Amid speculation that a disastrous role of local election results for the Tories might maybe maybe power his hand, Mr Sunak wouldn’t “squawk anything extra than I’ve already talked about” on the date of the following election.

He has previously talked about this would possibly maybe happen in the 2d half of of 2024. Nonetheless some study about him keeping the possibility open as a technique to deter doable plotters.

The overall election is anticipated to be held in October or Novemberthough there is mounting speculation a contest might maybe maybe attain as early as July.

Grant Shapps has warned agitating Tory MPs against ousting Mr Sunak and talked about the prime minister desires to be left to “get on with the job”.

The defence secretary talked about Mr Sunak desires to be “given the chance” he desires to proceed in the role. “He’s doing a huge job – he’s doing it under difficult conditions,” talked about Mr Shapps.

Nonetheless a drubbing in mayoral and council elections on 2 Would possibly maybe well well furthermore just might maybe maybe either lead to a field to Mr Sunak’s leadership or persuade him that an earlier polling day is regularly a smarter acknowledge than limping on with a divided occasion.

The defection of a Conservative former health minister to Labour might further spook already restive Tory MPs and increase the pressure on the prime minister.

Mr Poulter on Saturday announced he was quitting the Conservative Party, which he accused of no longer prioritising the overstretched NHS.

Mr Sunak was asked on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme – recorded before Dr Poulter’s shock defection – whether the latter half of 2024 might mean July.

The prime minister said: “I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said – I’ve been very clear about that.”

Pressed many times over whether he was ruling out July, he talked about: “I’m not going to secure that.

“You’re going to take a glance at and design no matter conclusion you could from what I squawk. I’m going to always are trying to squawk the identical facet. You might maybe maybe aloof factual hear to what I talked about, [the] identical facet I’ve talked about all 300 and sixty five days.”

When presenter Sir Trevor said he wished to know when to book his summer holidays, Mr Sunak replied: “Actually, Trevor, it’s more important than your holiday or anyone’s holiday. I’ve got a job to do, which is delivering for the nation.

“And as we’ve been talking about, we’re delivering by tackling illegal migration. We’re delivering by investing in our defence.”

The corpulent interview will air on Sky Files on Sunday morning.

In less than a week, the Tories are expected to lose around half of their council seats, while their two most high-profile regional mayors face tough contests.

Some analysts believe defeats for West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen could lead to the prime minister facing a no-confidence vote, with 52 Tory MPs needed to trigger the move.

There were rumours circulating in Westminster on Friday that Mr Sunak might launch an election campaign as early as Monday in a bid to avert a potential crisis, though Downing Street dismissed them.

Primarily the most novel that you just might maybe be in a site to take into accout date he might maybe maybe withhold the election is 28 January 2025.

Mr Sunak sought to bolster his premiership this week with a flurry of announcements, including the passing of Rwanda asylum laws and a pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2030.

A BMG poll for the i newspaper of voters who backed the Conservatives in 2019, but have since abandoned the party, will likely be more likely to vote Tory under a different leader.

Mr Sunak has already been accused of being a “rooster” and “squatting in Downing Avenue” after ruling out preserving the election on 2 Would possibly maybe well well furthermore just.

The rising speculation comes as the Conservatives sit 21 points behind in the polls. A series of polls have shown the party is heading for electoral oblivion, with even Mr Sunak at risk of losing his seat.