Furious Tories model Sunak a ‘clown’ and name for a confidence vote
Furious Tories have branded Rishi Sunak a ‘clown’ and have called for a confidence vote after his election announcement – as five more Tory MPs including two ministers announced that they were stepping down yesterday.
Leaked WhatsApp messages from those on the right-wing of the party have slammed the premier for going to the polls on July 4.
While it is reported that Tory donor David Campbell Bannerman called for a confidence vote in the Prime Minister in one group of disgruntled Conservatives.
It comes as transport minister Huw Merriman, Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing, employment minister Jo Churchill and James Grundy said they would not fight to keep their seats.
Conservative former minister Sir Michael Ellis also announced he will not be standing for re-election.
The Northampton North MP, who has served in several prominent ministerial positions including as attorney general, said it was an ‘extremely difficult decision’ not to stand again.
Among his ‘lasting legacy’ achievements, he counted the ‘Diamond and Platinum Jubilee gifts I arranged for the late Queen’ on the Parliamentary estate, and a plaque to commemorate former prime minister Spencer Perceval, a Northampton MP, and the only premier to have ever been assassinated.
Transport minister Huw Merriman was one of five Tory MPs who have announced they are stepping down ahead of the general election
Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing (left) and Sir Michael Ellis also revealed they would not be standing
In one leaked WhatsApp message, The Mirror reported one Tory as saying: ‘The clown has just consigned the party to the political wilderness.’
It brings the total number of Tory MP standing down to 71 – more than a fifth of the party – as it edges closer to the record number of 75 who declared their names would not be on the ballot paper ahead of Labour’s landslide victory in 1997.
Also departing Parliament are Labour former minister Kevan Jones and MP Yvonne Fovargue who sat on the privileges committee that investigated Partygate.
The Prime Minister’s decision to call a summer election took many by surprise and it is expected more MPs will quit as the campaigns begin.
Mr Merriman did not specify a reason for his departure but thanked his staff, local Conservative association and the Prime Minister, and paid tribute to his constituency.
Dame Eleanor, the Deputy Commons Speaker who was elected as a Conservative MP but relinquished party affiliation to take up her role, also announced she would stand down.
The MP for Epping Forest, who has served for 27 years, tweeted that she had informed Mr Sunak ‘several days ago’.
She was close to tears in the Commons chamber as she thanked MPs for their tributes following the announcement, and said she was leaving the ‘best job in the world’.
Ms Churchill cited ‘family reasons’ in her resignation letter, and said she had the ‘utmost respect for the difficult job’ of the Prime Minister.
Mr Grundy, the Tory MP for Leigh since 2019, meanwhile told his local newspaper he would not feature on the ballot paper.
The first ever Conservative MP for the constituency said he had sat in the most challenging Parliament ‘since the one that sat during World War 2’.
He added there had been a ‘saddening change in the political climate’ as he expressed concerns about security threats faced by MPs, their families and staff.
Mr Jones said in a letter announcing his decision not to stand it would be ‘impossible’ for him to fight the campaign as he is undergoing surgery in early June for ‘an ongoing condition’.
Jo Churchill cited ‘family reasons’ in her resignation letter, and said she had the ‘utmost respect for the difficult job’ of the Prime Minister
James Grundy, the Tory MP for Leigh since 2019, meanwhile told his local newspaper he would not feature on the ballot paper
The North Durham MP described his decision as ‘difficult’, adding: ‘I am sad to be leaving the House of Commons but would like to thank the people of North Durham and my supporters who gave me the opportunity to serve them.’
Labour MP for Makerfield Ms Fovargue also announced her intention not to stand again, saying it was the ‘right time’ to step down.
Prominent Tories not standing for re-election include Dominic Raab, the former deputy prime minister, Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, and Sajid Javid.
Speculation that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt would not fight the next election was scotched yesterday after he announced his intention to stand in a new constituency after his was abolished.
Last weekend Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, announced he would also quit parliament.
Meanwhile, former health secretary Matt Hancock and MP Bob Stewart both had the Tory whip restored as a ‘goodwill gesture’ even though both are standing down.
Mr Hancock lost it for appearing on ‘I’m a Celeb’, while Mr Stewart lost it after being found guilty of a racially aggravated offence, though was later cleared on appeal.
