Former Cabinet Minister Sir Simon Clarke Calls for Sunak's Replacement as PM
Former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke has urged for the removal of Rishi Sunak as the UK’s Prime Minister, citing the need for a leader aligned with main voter concerns, especially on immigration and government reforms.
His opinion piece in the Telegraph warns the Conservative Party of a potential electoral defeat.
Downing Street has not yet responded to these remarks, with a general election anticipated later in the year. The latest legally permissible election date is January 28, 2025.
Clarke criticized Sunak's leadership, suggesting the party risks long-term decline under Labour's Keir Starmer if they avoid making a change.
Clarke, who previously supported Liz Truss and rebelled on the Rwanda Bill aimed to prevent Channel crossings by migrants, joins Dame Andrea Jenkyns in publicly challenging Sunak's position. Conservative party rules require 53 MPs to request a leadership election.
The party is currently fragmented, as demonstrated by the largest rebellion during Sunak's term over the Rwanda Bill.
Clarke's statement comes at a time of Conservative dissent and leadership speculation, as various MPs, including Deputy Chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, resigned from positions over the bill.
Ex-cabinet members, such as Dame Priti Patel and David Davis, criticized Clarke's comments, suggesting they reflect self-interest rather than national interest.
Labour's John Ashworth highlighted the Conservatives' internal discord, while Daisy Cooper of the Liberal Democrats criticized the party's leadership discussions without public input. Under Sunak, the Conservatives lag behind Labour in polls, with projections indicating potential historic electoral losses.
Downing Street has not yet responded to these remarks, with a general election anticipated later in the year. The latest legally permissible election date is January 28, 2025.
Clarke criticized Sunak's leadership, suggesting the party risks long-term decline under Labour's Keir Starmer if they avoid making a change.
Clarke, who previously supported Liz Truss and rebelled on the Rwanda Bill aimed to prevent Channel crossings by migrants, joins Dame Andrea Jenkyns in publicly challenging Sunak's position. Conservative party rules require 53 MPs to request a leadership election.
The party is currently fragmented, as demonstrated by the largest rebellion during Sunak's term over the Rwanda Bill.
Clarke's statement comes at a time of Conservative dissent and leadership speculation, as various MPs, including Deputy Chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, resigned from positions over the bill.
Ex-cabinet members, such as Dame Priti Patel and David Davis, criticized Clarke's comments, suggesting they reflect self-interest rather than national interest.
Labour's John Ashworth highlighted the Conservatives' internal discord, while Daisy Cooper of the Liberal Democrats criticized the party's leadership discussions without public input. Under Sunak, the Conservatives lag behind Labour in polls, with projections indicating potential historic electoral losses.
