Sir Simon Clarke has written that the Tories face an electoral «massacre» at the general election if Rishi Sunak is not replaced. Photo: AARON CHOWN/PA WIRE
Senior Conservative MPs have spoken out against Sir Simon Clarke after he became the second Conservative party member to publicly call for Rishi Sunak to resign.
Former Cabinet Office minister said in an article for The Telegraph that Mr Sunak must be replaced or the Tories face an electoral «massacre» at the next general election.
But a number of current and former ministers have publicly rejected Sir Simon's challenge to the prime minister's authority, rallying behind Mr Sunak.
Tobias Ellwood, a former minister, accused Sir Simon of “throwing his toys into a corner”, calling the intervention “dangerous, reckless, selfish” and “defeatist”.
«We are simply entering a calmer situation thanks to the leadership of Rishi Sunak,» Mr Ellwood told Sky News.
«It's been a tough couple of years and now he's doing it by throwing his teddy bears in the water.» corner because his choice for Prime Minister is no longer at number 10.
“This is not only dangerous, reckless, selfish, but defeatist because what the electorate wants to see, they want to see leadership , they want to see a good manifesto with policies, but they also want to see unity.”
Dame Priti Patel, the former home secretary and Boris Johnson supporter who wanted Johnson to return as prime minister after Liz Truss resigned, accused Clark of «easy and divisive self-indulgence».
In article on X: Earlier on Twitter, Dame Preeti said: “At this critical time for our country, with challenges at home and abroad, our party must focus on the people we serve and benefit the country.”
“Indulgence and divisions only serve our adversaries, it is time to unite and continue the work.”
Liam Fox, former Defense Secretary, who has been MP for North Somerset since 1992. , said: “This is not the time for self-indulgence and tribalism in the party.
“Those who have a plan to destabilize the government in an election year must understand the consequences.”
“ Having been on the opposition bench for 13 years, it's a terrible place to be. Be careful.»
Responding to reports that Clarke would demand Sunak's resignation, David Davis, the former Brexit minister, wrote on social media: «This is getting stupid.»
Mr Davis added: «Party and country I'm fed up with MPs putting their leadership ambitions ahead of the UK's interests.
“Indeed, it is time for these people to realize that they have a duty to their country that goes beyond their personal leadership ambitions.
In a WhatsApp discussion first reported by The Times, Andrew Bowie, the nuclear energy minister, told critics to “get a grip”, adding: “Can we go more than five minutes without a civil war and leadership speculation?
Andrew Percy, a Conservative MP, added: “The election is months away. The idea that another leadership psychodrama will help any Tory MP is for the birds.»
Dame Jackie Doyle-Price, who was a minister under Liz Truss, said the public expected the party to «behave like adults,» adding: «The best thing any of us can do about today's report is not to participate.»
Свежие комментарии