Sir Simon Clarke argued the Conservatives need a new leader (Image: PA)
Tory MP Sir Simon Clarke has called for Rishi Sunak to be replaced as Tory leader.
The former Cabinet minister last night warned the party faces being wiped out at the next general election under the PM, with Labour's Sir Keir Starmer in power for a decade.
Writing in The Telegraph, he said: "The unvarnished truth is that Rishi Sunak is leading the Conservatives into an election where we will be massacred."
The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP said the former chancellor has "sadly gone from asset to anchor".
Powered By
00:00/04:07
10
10
Rooney sacked as Birmingham City boss - Neil Moxley reports
Share
Next
Stay
He said: "And it is now beyond doubt that whilst the Prime Minister is far from solely responsible for our present predicament, his uninspiring leadership is the main obstacle to our recovery."
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Trending
Sir Simon said Mr Sunak has "two fundamental problems", adding: "He does not get what Britain needs. And he is not listening to what the British people want."
He said: "We have a clear choice. Stick with Rishi Sunak, take the inevitable electoral consequences, and give the Left a blank cheque to change Britain as they see fit.
"Or we can change leader, and give our country and party a fighting chance."
But Sir Simon's intervention prompted a backlash from senior Conservative MPs.
Home Secretary James Cleverly argued further dissent within the party would leave the door open for Sir Keir.
Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: "At this critical time for our country, with challenges at home and abroad, our party must focus on the people we serve and deliver for the country.
"Engaging in facile and divisive self-indulgence only serves our opponents - it's time to unite and get on with the job."
If you can't see the poll above, click here
Ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith insisted the party "should be focussing our attention on the risks of a Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer".
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned that "division and another PM would lead to the certain loss of power".
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rishi Sunak slaps down Keir Starmer for taking knee in PMQs row: 'He doesn't get Britain!'
81 Comments
Rishi Sunak has 48 hours to save his job as Prime Minister with Rwanda Bill rebellion
663 Comments
POLL: Do you want David Cameron to come back as Tory leader?
432 Comments
Simon Clarke's furious call to arms will show if Rishi Sunak's critics have any fight left
20 Comments
One Parliamentary seat will seal Rishi Sunak's fate with by-election a 'referendum' on PM
1351 Comments
Tory MPs are already in defection talks with Reform UK, claims leader Richard Tice
1726 Comments
Tories hit out at Starmer's 'vacuous' speech which attacks Tory 'culture wars'
120 Comments
How Rishi Sunak beat Tory right with Priti Patel deal, Keir Starmer's PMQs and 'wimp' MPs
875 Comments
Labour accused of plotting to drag UK back to EU after Sadiq Khan demands closer ties
2851 Comments
Andrea Jenkyns in rallying cry to Tories to submit no-confidence letters in Rishi Sunak
193 Comments
Nadine Dorries launches furious three word attack on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda 'karma'
52 Comments
POLL: Who would you prefer to be mates with - Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer?
234 Comments
How Keir Starmer is following the Tony Blair playbook with a 'stealth plan' to seize No10
200 Comments
Rishi Sunak to deploy last-ditch secret weapon with career on knife-edge over crunch vote
124 Comments
Tory fury explodes at Simon Clarke's ‘totally mad' demand for Rishi Sunak to resign as PM
131 Comments
Who is Simon Clarke? The Tory MP leading revolt against Rishi Sunak
16 Comments
All the runners and riders to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory chief - with one clear favourite
436 Comments
Tories urged to oust Rishi Sunak now as ex-minister reveals exact number of letters needed
173 Comments
Inside story of how fresh Tory meltdown unfolded as MP warns: 'Nobody likes Rishi Sunak!'
841 Comments
Tories issue Scottish independence warning as Humza Yousaf invites Keir Starmer for talks
96 Comments
Rishi Sunak slaps down Keir Starmer for taking knee in PMQs row: 'He doesn't get Britain!'
81 Comments
Rishi Sunak has 48 hours to save his job as Prime Minister with Rwanda Bill rebellion
663 Comments
POLL: Do you want David Cameron to come back as Tory leader?
432 Comments
Simon Clarke's furious call to arms will show if Rishi Sunak's critics have any fight left
20 Comments
One Parliamentary seat will seal Rishi Sunak's fate with by-election a 'referendum' on PM
1351 Comments
Tory MPs are already in defection talks with Reform UK, claims leader Richard Tice
1726 Comments
Tories hit out at Starmer's 'vacuous' speech which attacks Tory 'culture wars'
120 Comments
How Rishi Sunak beat Tory right with Priti Patel deal, Keir Starmer's PMQs and 'wimp' MPs
875 Comments
Labour accused of plotting to drag UK back to EU after Sadiq Khan demands closer ties
2851 Comments
Andrea Jenkyns in rallying cry to Tories to submit no-confidence letters in Rishi Sunak
193 Comments
Nadine Dorries launches furious three word attack on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda 'karma'
52 Comments
POLL: Who would you prefer to be mates with - Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer?
234 Comments
How Keir Starmer is following the Tony Blair playbook with a 'stealth plan' to seize No10
200 Comments
Rishi Sunak to deploy last-ditch secret weapon with career on knife-edge over crunch vote
124 Comments
Tory fury explodes at Simon Clarke's ‘totally mad' demand for Rishi Sunak to resign as PM
131 Comments
Who is Simon Clarke? The Tory MP leading revolt against Rishi Sunak
16 Comments
All the runners and riders to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory chief - with one clear favourite
436 Comments
Tories urged to oust Rishi Sunak now as ex-minister reveals exact number of letters needed
173 Comments
Inside story of how fresh Tory meltdown unfolded as MP warns: 'Nobody likes Rishi Sunak!'
841 Comments
Tories issue Scottish independence warning as Humza Yousaf invites Keir Starmer for talks
96 Comments
Rishi Sunak slaps down Keir Starmer for taking knee in PMQs row: 'He doesn't get Britain!'
81 Comments
Rishi Sunak has 48 hours to save his job as Prime Minister with Rwanda Bill rebellion
663 Comments
POLL: Do you want David Cameron to come back as Tory leader?
432 Comments
Simon Clarke's furious call to arms will show if Rishi Sunak's critics have any fight left
20 Comments
One Parliamentary seat will seal Rishi Sunak's fate with by-election a 'referendum' on PM
1351 Comments
Tory MPs are already in defection talks with Reform UK, claims leader Richard Tice
1726 Comments
Tories hit out at Starmer's 'vacuous' speech which attacks Tory 'culture wars'
120 Comments
Former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis said: "The party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK's best interests."
Sir Simon and former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns are the only Tory MPs to have publicly called for Mr Sunak to go.
It would take 53 Conservative MPs submitting letters to the backbench 1922 Committee to trigger a confidence vote.
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Related articles Meet Simon Clarke, the Tory MP leading revolt against Rishi Sunak Tory MPs rally around Rishi Sunak after Sir Simon Clarke calls for new leader All the runners and riders to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory Party leader