Rishi Sunak is facing a landslide loss (Image: GETTY)

       Laura Keunssberg has dropped a massive hint as to when Britons will vote in the next General Election. The former BBC political editor has suggested that the Conservative Party might move much sooner than expected to "avoid a post-local election armageddon".

       Rishi Sunak is facing a projected Labour landslide at the next race and, as such, has proven reticent to commit to a date, with no official indications as of yet. Ms Kuenssberg quoted insiders who gave another angle on the rampant election speculation.

       They suggested the Prime Minister might call a much earlier ballot to keep his own MPs distracted and "scurrying around" to prevent challenges to his leadership.

       Speaking on her podcast Newscast, which she presents alongside Paddy O'Connell, the BBC presenter said there has been "a lot of chat about an early election" in recent weeks.

       She questioned whether high-profile losses in the local elections - such as West Midlands and Teesside mayors Andy Street and Ben Houchen losing their bids - would lead to "armageddon" for Mr Sunak by triggering a leadership challenge.

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       The presenter said it was "suggested" to her that there was a "cunning plan" in the works to keep would-be Tory rebels occupied in the wake of the local races.

       She said: "It was suggested to me this week that there was a potential cunning plan to try to avoid the jangling horror of a post-local election challenge to Rishi Sunak. Might he call the General Election at the end of April, have the election in June, and therefore avoid a post-local election armageddon and challenge to his leadership.

       "Because at that point, MPs are going to be scurrying around trying to hold on to their seats."

       The suggestion will not be surprising to some, with the Tories likely to be left with "fewer than 100" MPs following the next race, the latest polling shows.

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