A Tory Minister has accused Downing Street of letting Rishi Sunak hog the limelight as if he were “as popular in the polls as he was two years ago”.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer vented his fury about No10 “placating” the Prime Minister and said more popular ministers such as Kemi Badenoch and Penny Mordaunt should get more airtime. His explosive memo was obtained by the Times after a passenger on the same train as the minister took pictures of his laptop screen.
The Plymouth Moor View MP wrote: “Political communication seems haphazard, un-themed and loose. We have average performers during important slots. How many people did (Transport Secretary Mark) Harper win over for us this weekend?
“Team in No10 operating as though the PM is as popular in the polls as he was two years ago. It appears to be all about placating him/managing him/promoting him on social media. We are only going to get through this as a team. There are good, capable senior colleagues around the Cabinet table who people clearly like, who should see more air time and be more prominent.”
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PA Wire)
Mr Mercer, who has been a prominent backer of Mr Sunak, said polls showing support amongst grassroots activists for Ms Badenoch, the Business Secretary, and Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt than the PM “should not be ignored”. Both women are seen as potential Tory leadership contenders.
The top Tory also complained that too many special advisers were “overpromoted and underskilled” and had “poor political judgments”. He said that despite his access to No10 and the Prime Minister, “I don’t feel part of the team”.
His efforts to persuade No 10 to allow veterans to use their IDs at polling stations had been blocked by special advisers, he said, adding: “Feels like even I cannot have any impact on the grid/government comms.”
Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth said: “With high-profile Tory ministers exposed as lacking confidence in Rishi Sunak and his weak leadership, it’s no wonder the British public are demanding it’s time for change. The only way to turn the page and end the ongoing Tory chaos is with a Labour government delivering change the country needs.” Mr Mercer’s office and No 10 have been contacted for comment.