Grassroots Tories say it’d be crazy to oust Sunak
Ousting Rishi Sunak ahead of the general election would be “absolutely crazy” despite a poor showing in the local council polls, grassroots Tory activists have told i.
While Mr Sunak took some solace from Ben Houchen’s victory in the Tees Valley mayoral contest, he has admitted the council results have been disappointing.
Pollsters are estimating the Conservatives could lose as many as 500 councillors, which would make it the party’s worst performance in 40 years.
Despite this, local Tory activists gave Mr Sunak their backing to take the party into the general election.
Sean McDonald, co-chair of Worthing West Conservatives, told i: “If our MPs are even thinking of trying to replace Rishi, then they need to show me the charismatic alternative.
“Boris isn’t available now, and no one has shown me an election winner like him in the parliamentary party yet. We can’t change leader again without that person.”
Since 2016 the country has had five Conservative Prime Ministers – David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Mr Sunak.
Jan French, president of North East Cambridgeshire Conservatives, added: “We’d be absolutely crazy to get another new leader. Absolutely crazy.”
David Ashton, a party activist and former association chairman in Harrow East, said: “I would think that making a change now will be very challenging and not the right thing to do.”
Labour achieved a 26 per cent swing from the Tories to win a big victory in the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election.
They won control of key council targets in Hartlepool, Thurrock, Rushmoor and Redditch – areas where the party are aiming to win at the general election.
Labour also declared victory in the first-ever York and North Yorkshire mayoral contest – an area home to Mr Sunak’s own Richmond constituency.
But the party’s gains across the country have not led to grassroot Tories giving up hope for the general election.
Jeremy Kent, a councillor in Wrexham and formed chairman of the local Conservative party, also backed Mr Sunak to remain as leader.
He added: “There’s still a path to victory at the general, but it’s a long and winding one. If Rishi can bring inflation down even further and interest rates fall as a result, then people will feel the benefits of having more money in their pockets. That could certainly help us.”
Mr McDonald added: “The vast majority of people are totally fed up with illegal immigrants coming into this country. They are the silent majority.
“It Rishi does stop the boats then that really helps us at the next election.”
Mr McDonald suggested that candidates standing for George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain could play a crucial role in boosting Tory hopes against Labour.
Mr Galloway said his party had 500 candidates ready and hoped to stand in most English seats at the general election, as well as targeting some in Scotland and Wales.
“I don’t like the man or his views, but he is taking on Labour in towns and cities that they are hoping and need to win,” said Mr McDonald. “He could cause them some serious issues and that could help us remain in Government.”
