Simon Clarke breaks silence after calling for PM to be replaced
Tory rebels who back Simon Clarke’s decision to call on Rishi Sunak to quit as Tory leader have voiced confidence more MPs will do so in the coming months.
Speaking to the Express following Sir Simon’s headline-grabbing call to arms, they pinpointed the event that may trigger a flurry of MP letters to the 1922 committee chair voicing no confidence in Mr Sunak.
Two major events are expected to see MPs join Sir Simon in calling for the Prime Minister to resign: next month’s crunch by-elections, and the local elections.
In February, voters in Wellingborough and Kingswood will vote for new MPs following the recall petition against Peter Bone in the former, and the resignation of Chris Skidmore in the latter.
Labour’s current 20-point lead suggests they will win both previously safe Conservative constituencies.
READ MORE: Tory MPs rally around Rishi Sunak after Sir Simon Clarke calls for new leader
Sir Simon's call to arms hasn't persuaded any other Tory MPs to call for the PM to quit (Image: Getty)
The local elections will then take place in May, with 107 councils up for grabs as well as all 8 Metro Mayors, and 38 police and crime commissioners.
Allies of Sir Simon believe these two looming election disasters will finally wake Tory MPs up to the looming crisis, with those most outspoken against him accused of being oblivious to the crisis.
Speaking to the BBC this afternoon, the former minister said the evidence points to the Tories being on course for an “avoidable catastrophe”.
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Mr Sunak faces two key electoral tests between now and May (Image: Getty)
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Responding to the criticism levelled at him from fellow MPs, Sir Simon replied: “No one likes that guy that’s shouting ‘iceberg’ but I suspect that people will be even less happy if we hit the iceberg.
“And we are on course to do that. That is the point that I need to land with colleagues respectfully and calmly.
“We are not at the moment responding to the situation with the seriousness that it warrants.
He said he has not approached any other MPs about his decision, nor conspired with potential leadership candidates so as not to “tarnish” them.
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Allies of the senior Tory MP blasted many of the MPs who have most loudly criticised his decision to call on Mr Sunak to go, accusing them of having large majorities in safe seats and can therefore afford a huge election defeat.
They added those with 30,000+ majorities defending Mr Sunak can afford to “grin and bear” what is coming for the party in this year’s General Election.
One source compared the Tories to Wile E Coyote, “on a train and rapidly running out of track”.
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