UK’s Sunak won’t rule out July general election amid Poulter’s resignation, council polls
- A drubbing in mayoral and council elections on May 2 could persuade Sunak that an earlier polling day is a better solution
- Dan Poulter says he is quitting the Tory Party, which he has accused of no longer prioritising the overstretched NHS
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has again refused to rule out a July general election, amid speculation that a disastrous set of local election results for the Tories could force his hand.
Sunak said he would not “say anything more than I’ve already said”, which was that the national poll was likely to be in the second half of the year.
Most Westminster analysts take this as meaning October or November, although it could technically also mean July.
But a drubbing in mayoral and council elections on May 2 could either lead to a challenge to his leadership or persuade him that an earlier polling day could be a better solution than limping on with a divided party.
The defection of a Conservative ex-health minister to Labour could further spook already restive Tory MPs and increase the pressure on Sunak.
Dan Poulter on Saturday announced he was quitting the Tory Party, which he accused of no longer prioritising the overstretched National Health Service.