Speculation is rising within the Conservative party about potential successors to Rishi Sunak as leader, with Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch, and Grant Shapps being mentioned. A group aims to replace Sunak with a 'Liz Truss-style' leader post-election. Tory MPs caution against openly plotting to oust Sunak to avoid weakening the party's leadership prospects.
TalkTV's Alicia Fitzgerald says a number of Tory MPs, "even if they don't back Rishi Sunak", want to avoid the "chaotic event" of a leadership campaign close to a potential General Election. @alicia_fitzg https://t.co/XxW092qLr4
“Why would you be the leader who is walking towards inevitable defeat?” The “serious candidates” to replace Rishi Sunak aren’t plotting openly as they want to “get through the terrible election”, says @IsabelHardman on #TimesRadio. @AasmahMir https://t.co/LI7yRC37GZ
A Tory MP tells Playbook "a change of chancellor" could help revive polls. Says another: “There is no path to victory. But I want to be able to influence what happens afterwards. We can’t disappear up our own arses and choose someone too right-wing. It can’t be someone insane”
“The way you go about becoming the future leader is not to have a group that's called something going around touting as the future leader.” The more Tory MPs plot to oust Rishi Sunak, “the fewer there will be in parliament to stand for the leadership”, says @WilliamJHague. https://t.co/6vZUniJHXQ
A leading Conservative group want to replace Rishi Sunak after the next election with a 'Liz Truss-style' leader, describing it as part of 'contingency planning'. Presumably, under the heading: 'worst case scenario'. https://t.co/4q9oPmq9pH
Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch may be the clear favourites to succeed Rishi Sunak as leader of the Tory party, but @theipaper understands that Defence Secretary Grant Shapps may also fancy his chances 🔎 @eleanormia reports https://t.co/SkUyKML6Y3