Sir Simon Clarke, a prominent Conservative MP and Liz Truss ally, has publicly called for the resignation of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, warning that the party faces severe electoral consequences if they continue under his leadership. Clarke's remarks, which were published in the Telegraph, suggest that sticking with Sunak could give the Left a 'blank cheque to change Britain' and that a leadership change is necessary to give the Conservatives a fighting chance. The call for Sunak's resignation has led to a split within Tory ranks, with some MPs expressing fury over Clarke's intervention, fearing another leadership change could be disastrous. Others, like the One Nation group leader Damian Green, have criticized Clarke's actions, urging the party to focus on attacking opponents rather than internal conflicts. The situation reflects a broader sense of turmoil within the Conservative Party, with Jonathan Ashworth responding that the turmoil is more proof of a failed government, and Suzanne Evans suggesting the party is so divided that it needs to split. Clarke also stated in the Tory WhatsApp group that he knew he would receive criticism for his stance against Sunak but felt 'the stakes are too high for our country and my party to stay silent.' This internal strife comes amid dire polls for the Tories, raising questions about whether the party's struggles are a result of Sunak's leadership or issues predating his tenure.
Senior UK Conservative tells party ditch Sunak or face 'annihilation' https://t.co/IeQH6YbxoG https://t.co/IYjxMsYYrQ
BREAKING Simon Clarke posts in the Tory WhatsApp group. Says he knew he would get criticism for coming out against Rishi Sunak, but “the stakes are too high for our country and my party to stay silent” https://t.co/rq6i22EFan
Sunak must by ousted by Tories to avoid ‘extinction’, says ex-minister https://t.co/zaDbiDLxYL
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke says Rishi Sunak leading party to election 'massacre' amid resignation calls https://t.co/DWndZb3Sya https://t.co/DWndZb3Sya
'It's beyond repair.' Suzanne Evans says the Conservative Party is 'so divided it needs to split'. 📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/p7iwsoFN3B
Source close to Liz Truss insists she is NOT supporting Simon Clarke tonight
Rishi Sunak told to go by top Tory or party faces 'election massacre' https://t.co/6UtxbNt9hS
'This is more proof the Tory Party is a failed Government, completely divided from top to bottom.' Jonathan Ashworth responds to turmoil in the Conservative Party as Sir Simon Clarke calls for Rishi Sunak to resign. 🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/Ysu2FHMSM3
“Simon Clarke is wrong and unwise to try to start another internal fight. Let’s start attacking our opponents, not each other,” says Tory One Nation group leader @DamianGreen after Sir Simon calls for PM to go… https://t.co/uuJhRuoSkF
'Nothing seems to be going right.' Lord Bird looks at the state of the Conservative Party after Simon Clarke called for Rishi Sunak to resign. 📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/MBbTZptxQ7
There is no q that polls are dire for the Tories. But is it Rishi Sunak’s fault or what came before? Simon Clarke thinks another leader could dig the party out of this- but plenty of others furious about his intervention and think another change of leadership would be disastrous https://t.co/DeGajNYWJ8
Safe to say opinion is divided on Simon Clarke’s call for the PM to go within Tory ranks… https://t.co/Nj58VTnVzw
Simon Clarke calls for Rishi Sunak to go tonight 🚨 When Rwanda rebels met last Wednesday to discuss vote, I was told that Clarke said to colleagues he fully accepted that voting down the bill could pose an existential challenge to Sunak's leadership https://t.co/Tbqypir0iw
Liz Truss ally Sir Simon Clarke tells ‘uninspiring’ Rishi Sunak to go https://t.co/cuNOaupzHo
NEW Sir Simon Clarke - Replace Sunak as PM or face decade of decline under Starmer https://t.co/5JQcxuK8Ce
And they’re off …again. Former Cabinet Minister @SimonClarkeMP tries to trigger the downfall of a 5th Prime Minister & Tory leader since 2016 writing in @Telegraph : “Replace Sunak as PM or face decade of decline under Starmer” https://t.co/SWugCoZcg5
Simon Clarke writes in the Telegraph: “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.”
Tory sources briefing Sir Simon Clarke has asked the Prime Minister to resign… https://t.co/sZjlP8cfyy
LATEST - Rumours that it’s Simon Clarke who will call for Rishi Sunak to go tonight. He isn’t picking up his phone tonight!
Tory source confirms Sir Simon Clarke is calling for a new PM tonight. https://t.co/LQx6TcpYaI
‘I slightly despair of the BBC…’ Conservative MP @IoWBobSeely weighs in on debates over BBC impartiality, saying the broadcaster has taken to ‘lecturing’ the public on issues of diversity. 📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/T1GiRO7PEr