Tory rebels planning to oust Sunak and make Mordaunt PM as part of 100-day masterplan to save party

27 April 2024, 22:39

Rebel Tories are working on a 100-day masterplan to oust Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister and turn around party polling fortunes under Penny Mordaunt as leader.
Rebel Tories are working on a 100-day masterplan to oust Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister and turn around party polling fortunes under Penny Mordaunt as leader. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

Rebel Tories are working on a 100-day masterplan to oust Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister and turn around party polling fortunes under Penny Mordaunt as leader.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A group of Conservative MPs are drawing up the roadmap to replace Mr Sunak with Ms Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons, and focus on securing quick wins for the Government ahead of an election.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, a coronation for Ms Mordaunt as PM would be followed by a swathe of policy announcements.

Read More: Rishi Sunak claims migrant influx to Northern Ireland is 'proof' government's Rwanda plan is working

Read More: Angela Rayner brands Rishi Sunak 'pint-sized loser' during feisty exchange during PMQs

Pledges on immigration, the NHS, crime and welfare spending would be aimed at putting the beleaguered party on the front foot before the general election is called.

The strategy is partly inspired by US Republicans in 1994 - when Speaker Newt Gingrich successfully revived his party using the Contract with America policy blitz.

Rishi Sunak
A group of Conservative MPs are drawing up the roadmap to replace Mr Sunak. Picture: Alamy

Despite the reports, sources close to Ms Mordaunt have dismissed the claims as "codswallop".

A Tory rebel told the Telegraph: "The reality is that we are facing an extinction-level event.

"It is for colleagues to decide if they want to go down with the sinking ship."

The Tories have drawn up the plans in anticipation of local election results going heavily against them on May 2.

Ahead of the polls, Mr Sunak was hit with a body blow as former minister Dan Poulter defected to Labour.

Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt MP gives her keynote speech during the Conservative party Conference in Manchester on 4th October 2023
Despite the reports, sources close to Ms Mordaunt have dismissed the claims as "codswallop". Picture: Alamy

The former health minister and Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich announced his decision on Saturday.

The MP said that his 20 night shifts over the past year had been a “truly life-changing” experience, witnessing an "overstretched" health service first-hand.

Mr Poulter also labelled the Conservatives a "nationalist party of the right".

The defection was confirmed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and MP Wes Streeting.

File photo dated 09/06/10 of Tory MP and former health minister Dr Dan Poulter who has defected to Labour in protest against the Tories' 'rightward drift' and neglect of the NHS, in a blow to the Prime Minister. Issue date: Saturday April 27, 2024.
Ahead of the polls, Mr Sunak was hit with a body blow as former minister Dan Poulter defected to Labour. Picture: Alamy

Taking to X formerly Twitter, the Labour leader wrote: "It’s fantastic to welcome Dr Dan Poulter MP to today’s changed Labour Party.

"It’s time to end the Conservative chaos, turn the page, and get Britain’s future back. I’m really pleased that Dan has decided to join us on this journey."

Mr Poulter won his seat with a majority of 23,321 at the last election.

In an opinion column published on Saturday, the Tory MP wrote: "As an MP and psychiatrist, I see the burden that a service near breaking point takes on patients, their families and healthcare colleagues"

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The gas would have to be extracted via fracking

Giant gas field discovered under UK that 'could fuel the country for a decade'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Una Crown

Bloody fingernails of murdered widow, 86, help convict killer 12 years after she was stabbed and set on fire at home

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and that Russia should return to G7 - labelling Moscow's expulsion 'a mistake'

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kanye West and Bianca Censori 'split' days after Grammys scandal - as rapper releases bizarre message

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Ukraine admits it 'won't accept' US-Russia deal without seat at table

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Zelenskyy says Trump-Putin deal to end war 'must involve Ukraine'

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Semina Halliwell

Girl, 12, who died of overdose after reporting being raped was 'betrayed' by authorities, mother claims

Farishta Jami, 36, pictured, pledged allegiance to Islamic State and had a 'clear interest in the use of children in warfare'

British mother, 36, who tried to move family to Afghanistan to become ISIS martyrs found guilty of terror offences

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, 'pinned down' by sergeant 'lost faith' after his only punishment was writing apology letter

Michael Steele, who was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, can be released from prison, the Parole Board has said.

'Essex Boys' killer Michael Steele to be released from prison 27 years after triple gangland murders

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed

Kanye West

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it

The young man was swallowed by a whale

Shocking moment whale swallows kayaker whole before spitting him back out