Half of Sunak's cabinet queuing up to replace him, Starmer says

Sir Keir Starmer told the Tories it was time to “pack up, go home and waste other people’s time”. No. 39; Photo: Maria Unger/UK Parliament/Reuters

Sir Keir Starmer said half of Rishi Sunak's cabinet is «lining up to replace him» amid rumors of a plot to topple the prime minister.

The Labor leader mocked his opponent over reports that some of his own MPs were considering ousting him and installing Commons leader Penny Mordaunt as his successor.

He accused the Tories of are putting themselves before the country with «endless games and tricks» and urged them to «get ready, go home and waste other people's time.»

During Prime Minister's Questions, he said: «You can understand why he doesn't wants elections, why his party has lost faith in him, why half his cabinet is lining up to replace him.”

“No” answers, no plan, no clue. And the Prime Minister never had the courage to stand up to his party. So let me help him and tell them what he wants.

“Mortgage chaos, waiting lists, criminals on the loose. This is the price of Tory chaos, and if they can't bring themselves to stop the endless games and stunts, to stop putting themselves before the country, they should pack up, go home and waste other people's time.»

The Telegraph understands Tom Tugendhat, the security secretary, has also been floated as a potential «unity candidate» to replace Mr Sunak.

The centrist MP has done better than expected in the Tory leadership race after resigning Boris Johnson. will run a spirited campaign in 2022 before being eliminated in the third round.

Rishi Sunak responded to Sir Keir, accusing the Labor leader of an attempt to “persuade Britain.” Photo: Maria Unger/UK Parliament/Reuters

Mr Sunak responded by accusing Sir Keir of trying to “talk Britain down”, arguing that new data showing falling inflation showed his plan for the country was working.

“He talks about his ideas, but with the Budget two weeks away, the Shadow Chancellor found time to give an hour-long speech last night, we still don't know how they're going to pay for their £28 billion black hole. «, he said.

“But while he tries to criticize the UK and the progress we are making, today's news shows the plan is working.”

“Inflation is falling, energy bills have fallen, wages have risen, pensions have risen and taxes have been cut by £900 sterling. And that's a choice. Raise taxes and get back to square one with Labour, or cut taxes and make real change with the Conservatives.”

It comes after a government minister rebuked Conservative Party members who were said to be planning to replace Mr Sunak with Ms Mordaunt.

'Penny will not be leader'

Esther McVey, the Common Sense minister, said It was right to say there are «a handful of disgruntled MPs, for sure.»

But she told GB News: “Penny had a chance to become leader and she didn't win. So that's where it is, goes to bed, Penny won't be the leader, it's Rishi Sunak.

“However, when we voted for 10 Rwandans last night, we were there for several hours. I've spoken to all Tory MPs and they are fully behind him, except for the dissenters.»

«If there had been a vote of confidence in Rishi Sunak, he would have won by a landslide.»< /p>

Sir Keir also said Mr Sunak was «so humiliated» that his «all focus» was on «preventing his MPs from holding the sword of Damocles over his head, perhaps even literally» in the event with Mrs Mordaunt carrying the Sword of State during the King's coronation in May 2023.

Anonymous Briefings

At a meeting of the 1922 Committee on Wednesday evening, Sir Jake Berry, the former chairman of the Conservative Party, asked Mr Sunak a question to express his suspicions that Number 10 was briefing against him.

Sir Jake is believed to have said : “I didn’t write the letter, but anonymous briefings are corrosive to everyone. This needs to stop.”

The second source added: “He was not attacking Rishi in any way, but he wanted to put it out there to make sure we were all united. It is a real problem that briefings about MPs are being carried out and are simply creating further division in the party.»

Rishi Sunak told the committee that these briefings against him are «harming everyone in the parliamentary party», according to one person present Jonathan Gallis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, told reporters the Prime Minister had highlighted the government's «long list of successes».

«The overall message was is this: here's a long list of things, here's a long list of successes that we've had, and the tiny minority that tries to constantly undermine his authority and oppose him, you don't oppose him or harm him. you're hurting everyone in the parliamentary party and that's why it's time to grow up and really pull together.»

«Grow up — those are my words, not his words, just so you know,» he added.

Mr Gallis said that the 1922 committee in support of the Prime Minister was attended by a wide range of MPs from both wings of the Tory party.