Dame Andrea Jenkins admitted the party could look “very stupid”. if it had ousted its third leader in less than 18 months but declared the situation was “do or die”; Photo: Leon Neil/Getty Images
Six more Conservative MPs have submitted a letter of no confidence in Rishi Sunak's leadership, the former education secretary says.
Dame Andrea Jenkins, who sent her own letter after Monday's cabinet reshuffle, urged colleagues to “bite the bullet” and oust the prime minister to save the party from pre-election oblivion.
It comes after Suella Braverman, former home secretary, condemned Mr Sunak in an explosive letter on Monday for failing to stop small boats crossing the English Channel.
Dame Andrea admitted the party could look “very stupid” if it ousts its third leader in less than 18 months, but said it was a “do or die” situation.
She told GB News: “After Suella's letter yesterday… I've talked to several colleagues and I know six who told me they were sending letters today, so now we know about seven.
“I've been struggling with this, with the fact that that we might look very foolish by overthrowing another leader, but I think we'll have to bite the bullet for now.”
'I want to support someone who has convictions and is a true conservative!'
Former Education Secretary Dame Andrea Jenkins MP is calling for a new Conservative Party leader to be elected. pic.twitter.com/v4XyzrhCjV
— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 15, 2023
Fifty-three Tory MPs will have to send a letter of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the MPs' 1922 Committee, to force a vote manuals.
Dame Andrea continued: “I think the last thing I would like to see happen is a vote of no confidence in 1922.
“Then hopefully this will at least wake him up and realize what he can do.” I can't go on, but obviously I really need a new leader.”
Although the former minister admitted she was not sure how many of her colleagues had the “laughs” to oust Mr Sunak, she added: ” We're limping towards failure at the moment… we just need to commit to it and it's do or die.”
The Morley and Outwood MP tweeted her own letter of no confidence, accusing the “Machiavellian” Prime Minister of purging the government of the centre-right.
— Andrea Jenkins MP 🇬🇧 (@andreajenkyns) November 13, 2023
By sacking Ms Braverman, she said Mr Sunak had lost “the only person in cabinet of ministers with eggs.” speak the truth about the terrible state of our streets.”
Ms Braverman was sacked on Monday after a series of controversial comments about migration and homelessness.
James Cleverley, considered a man of more moderate influence, was sacked from the Foreign Office to replace her.
Lord Cameron, the former prime minister who led the campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union, was elevated to the House of Lords and appointed Foreign Secretary.
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