Rumors and speculation surround UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Westminster buzzes with talk of a potential general election. Sunak's recent successes, including defense spending commitments and a Rwanda victory, are contrasted with fears of a backlash from Conservative MPs post-local elections. Allies hope Sunak can avoid a leadership threat, with the May bank holiday weekend seen as a potential calming factor. However, concerns persist, especially if key figures like Ben Houchen face defeat.
Local election big read! 🔥 Tories could launch bid to oust Rishi Sunak within days of results 🔥 Nigel Farage tells pals he WILL make election comeback, sources say 🔥 Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth to tour bingo halls to pitch to pensioners https://t.co/oqyT96dOyR
Local election bug read! 🔥 Tories could launch bid to oust Rishi Sunak within days of results 🔥 Nigel Farage tells pals he WILL make election comeback, sources say 🔥 Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth to tour bingo halls to pitch to pensioners https://t.co/oqyT96dOyR
Welcome to @UKLabour Dr Dan Poulter https://t.co/Lg0tOMYJG7
NEW: How Rishi Sunak's good week was torpedoed by a defection - and why next week is shaping up to be a nightmare. https://t.co/R1lSTbjpU2
V warm welcome to @UKLabour Dan! https://t.co/5Iib0q9Q0C
“No one saw this coming.” As Conservative MP Dr Dan Poulter announces he is defecting to Labour, The Spectator’s James Heale says Labour can “congratulate themselves” for “pulling off quite an audacious coup”. Listen: https://t.co/qqmEWxmOVj @JAHeale | @AyeshaHazarika https://t.co/rWcG3FKvdA
'This is what happens when a government is coming towards the end of its life.' Tory MP Dan Poulter 'hasn't got much to lose' by defecting to Labour, polling expert Professor John Curtice tells @PaulBrandITV. https://t.co/Q1EhxGOLJv
'This is what happens when a government is coming towards the end of its life.' Tory MP Dan Poulter 'hasn't got much to loose' by defecting to Labour, polling expert Professor John Curtice tells @PaulBrandITV. https://t.co/IgWYd9atX0
It really is a great week for Rishi! Conservative MP and ex-minister Daniel Poulter defects to Labour - BBC News https://t.co/3qhKdfnYDt
🚨Breaking News🚨 Wet Conservative MP @DrDanPoulter has defected to the @UKLabour Party. I can't these days say we will notice. https://t.co/TzA0AlRDXQ https://t.co/Ndw9IKaiAj
Welcome to @UKLabour, Dr Dan Poulter. It’s time to get Britain’s future back. https://t.co/GI31quQFQI
Welcome Dan Poulter, @UKLabour’s new MP for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich 🌹 https://t.co/53pEGeQXEy
Senior Tory MP Defects To Labour: https://t.co/H3FWaBZlM8 https://t.co/ImdRutSUbm
A new colleague on Monday on the Labour benches with no by-election. Welcome aboard @DrDanPoulter ! https://t.co/zrQ2zUhfao
Just when Rishi Sunak was thinking this had been one of his better weeks…… https://t.co/Kiz4lIt6RF
Welcome to the party, @DrDanPoulter. In the interests of democracy, you should resign your seat and fight a by-election as the Labour candidate. https://t.co/musof4xkNH
This week was being described as a “good week” for Rishi Sunak. https://t.co/6IScLy31Wt
Welcome to the Labour Party, Dan. https://t.co/XlV8aCALku
This morning I was absolutely delighted to welcome @DrDanPoulter to @UKLabour. Dan knows that a Labour government led by @Keir_Starmer will focus on preventative care, child health and the social causes of poor health. Vote Labour on 2nd May 🌹 https://t.co/Qef6SdYlqz
Former health minister defects to Labour and attacks the Conservatives as a “nationalist party of the right”. Direct Con/Lab defections like this are quite uncommon. https://t.co/TgrtY2Rj3u
I read somewhere Rishi Sunak had a ‘good week’ (-4) https://t.co/vamMHu6EYL
“Do I think there has been discussion about the prospects of there being an early election? Yes...Do I think that will happen? Not really.” @CazJWheeler says she doesn’t believe the rumours that Rishi Sunak will call a general election next week. 📻 https://t.co/wlVb9OZh6w https://t.co/eX2HoiLIql
Sunak's had one of his best weeks in the job - but No10 acknowledges local elections will be "tough" and leadership challenge remains possible, especially if Tories lose Tees Valley Long read @theipaper by @RichardVaughan1 @ChaplainChloe @eleanormia & me: https://t.co/COg0kYAnam
A good week for Rishi Sunak — but did any voters notice? A Rwanda victory and a vow to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income came as local elections loom ⬇️ https://t.co/5pFRjIauxR
‘It’s wipe-out territory. We’re f**ked’: Sunak heading into maximum danger A sure-footed appearance in Europe this week has failed to remove noise of a leadership challenge https://t.co/q4mTqJy59s
Sunak's allies are increasingly hopeful it won't kick off post-May 2 - Confident of Houchen win - Tories say this week is PM's best in a while - Bank hol can help calm things down But they admit it'll be "very tough" for him if Street & Houchen lose https://t.co/JIOd7jYlpN
SATURDAY POLITICAL READ - Rishi Sunak dishes out red meat to Tory Right before local elections danger - Welfare shake-up, Rwanda Bill passing and 2.5% defence boost all w/in 5days - But rebels claim letters ‘whipping operation’, more coming after Thurs https://t.co/1jwRHTeC08
Sunak allies are increasingly hopeful it won't kick off post-May 2nd - Confident of a Houchen win - Tory MPs pleased by PM's best week in a while - Bank hol weekend can help calm things down But they admit it'll be "very tough" if Street & Houchen lose https://t.co/JIOd7jYlpN
NEW: @BloombergUK Saturday read * ‘Operation Save Rishi’ gave Sunak his best week as PM and will get him through the locals, allies believe * Mordaunt WON’T challenge PM, allies say plot’s fizzling out * Rwanda timeline sees July election talk ramp up https://t.co/eS53wS2jg9
Westminster observers believe Rishi Sunak enjoyed one of his best weeks as PM, but Tories still believe they’re doomed…and leadership chatter refuses to go away. Me with @ChaplainChloe @eleanormia and @HugoGye https://t.co/kehTMZgxS1
NEW: Saturday long-read via @alexwickham @EllenAMilligan and me - Operation 'Save Rishi' in full swing to get the PM through any danger of being deposed after the local elections - MPs see the fate of Ben Houchen and Andy Street on May 2 as key https://t.co/r1jNItvDRZ
How Rishi Sunak actually had a good week. Me for @SpecCoffeeHouse https://t.co/XgLozAmvCM
UK Tories launch "Operation Save Rishi" https://t.co/XTUILhpJ0u
Rumours are swirling around Westminster that a general election could be imminent. @CliveBull asks: when should we go to the polls, and should it be up to Rishi Sunak? https://t.co/wHaZ9Y03s8
Rumours are swirling around Westminster that a general election could be immanent. @CliveBull asks: When should we go to the polls, and should it be up to Rishi Sunak? https://t.co/f1RATwF9gt
If Rishi Sunak wants to stop these election rumours, he can simply set a date today for when people can deliver their verdict on the last 14yrs of this Tory Government. So why won't he? https://t.co/ObqZk4l4Pw
Rishi Sunak struggling to smother frenzy of election rumours https://t.co/S5V8MGgmNQ
In a sign of how febrile the atmosphere in Westminster is just now, there have been wild rumours flying around today that Rishi Sunak is planning to finally call an election on Monday. Read on 👇🏼 https://t.co/dOubtY24jt
Rumours apparently based on Sunak having a “good week”. A week, let’s not forget, when he’s been out of the country most of the time. https://t.co/7eoDfAaO4B
🚨 NEW: No 10 sources assure journalists that rumours about Rishi Sunak calling an election on Monday are not true
If there is a prospect of a confidence vote, we will hear claims that Sunak would be willing to go straight to the country & that rather than face a vote of confidence from MPs, he would choose a vote from the public. My @newstatesman piece. https://t.co/n2iMekMliK
Rishi Sunak will feel 'reset week' was job well done - but a horrible reality check awaits | Analysis by Sky's political editor @BethRigby 🔗 https://t.co/V5nfk8DbEO
🤞 Rishi Sunak's allies are growing increasingly hopeful that the Prime Minister will manage to avoid any serious threat to his leadership in the wake of next week's local elections https://t.co/6MMVWBCKlj
On those "Sunak is calling an election on Monday" rumours https://t.co/uql2cxUlZB
Might the May bank holiday weekend play a part in calming down Conservative MPs following nasty local election results? Tory figures hope the long weekend, plus a Houchen victory, will be enough for Sunak to avoid a major backlash @politicshome latest https://t.co/JIOd7jYlpN
Might a sunny May bank holiday weekend play a part in helping Conservative MPs calm down following a nasty set of local elections? Senior Tories hope the long weekend, plus victory for Ben Houchen, will be enough for Sunak to avoid a major backlash https://t.co/JIOd7jYlpN
Might a sunny May bank holiday weekend play a part in helping Conservative MPs calm down following a nasty set of local elections? That's what No 10 and the Whips hope https://t.co/JIOd7jYlpN
Tories are hopeful Rishi Sunak can swerve local elections backlash from MPs https://t.co/qgra4mkTq3
ELECTORAL DYSFUNCTION: Sunak has one of his better weeks as he gets Rwanda through & announces defence spending commitment. A PM who seemed to be enjoying the job. But a horrible reality check awaits. What might that mean for him & timing of an election? https://t.co/rOIrjxtzFS