‘That is getting foolish’: senior Tories criticise Simon Clarke after he requires Sunak’s resignation – UK politics reside | Politics

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‘That is getting foolish’: senior Tories criticise Simon Clarke after he requires Sunak’s resignation

Good morning. Till final evening, the one Conservative MP publicly calling for Rishi Sunak to resign was Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson acolyte who spent three and a half months as a junior minister. Even foyer correspondents would draw the road at calling her a “senior Tory” and nobody paid a lot consideration. However final evening Sir Simon Clarke, who has served in cupboard underneath two prime ministers and who is just not broadly considered as a crank, joined in, publishing an article within the Day by day Telegraph saying the Tories ought to ditch Sunak earlier than the overall election.

Doubtlessly, this takes the Conservative management disaster into new territory. Clarke is near Liz Truss, the previous PM, who’s about to launch a new group called Popular Conservatism (sic), or PopCon. It doesn’t appear dedicated to supporting Sunak’s management. Maybe extra importantly, Clarke appears to have the backing of an much more essential participant in Tory politics: the Day by day Telegraph.

However … the early indications are that this might fail simply as dismally because the Geoff Hoon/Patricia Hewitt “coup” in opposition to Gordon Brown in 2010. Clarke doesn’t appear to have any Conservative MPs clambering out of the trenches behind him, and a few correct senior Tories have lined as much as assault him.

Priti Patel, the previous residence secretary, has accused him of “facile and divisive self-indulgence”.

At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) January 23, 2024

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At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) January 23, 2024

Liam Fox, the previous worldwide commerce secretary, says Clarke’s initiative makes a giant defeat extra probably.

This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

— Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) January 23, 2024

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This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

— Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) January 23, 2024

David Davis, the previous Brexit secretary, says Clarke is simply fooling around.

That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK’s greatest pursuits.

That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK's greatest pursuits. https://t.co/kmkXco6hMc

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

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That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK’s greatest pursuits. https://t.co/kmkXco6hMc

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

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It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

And Ben Wallace, the previous defence secretary, stated:

My colleague Sir Simon Clarke MP is fallacious. The best way to win the following election is to deal with inflation and develop the financial system.

Rishi is doing simply that. Division and one other PM would result in the sure lack of energy. We have to give attention to delivering for the general public not divisive rowing.

And the opposition events can’t consider their luck. That is from Pat McFadden, Labour’s nationwide marketing campaign coordinator.

Labour will give attention to serving the British individuals while the Tories kind one other round firing squad.

There are various good causes for eliminating this clapped out Conservative authorities and liberating the British individuals from countless bouts of Tory infighting is definitely considered one of them.

Right here is the agenda for the day.

Midday: Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at PMQs.

After 12.45pm: MPs debate all levels of the Northern Eire (govt formation) invoice, which supplies extra time for a power-sharing govt to be shaped earlier than elections need to be held as a result of it has not occurred.

Afternoon: MPs maintain a normal debate “on the scenario within the Crimson Sea”.

If you wish to contact me, do strive the “ship us a message” characteristic. You’ll see it just under the byline – on the left of the display screen, in case you are studying on a laptop computer or a desktop. That is for individuals who need to message me instantly. I discover it very helpful when individuals message to level out errors (even typos – no mistake is simply too small to right). Usually I discover your questions very attention-grabbing, too. I can’t promise to answer to all of them, however I’ll attempt to reply to as many as I can, both within the feedback beneath the road; privately (in the event you depart an e-mail handle and that appears extra acceptable); or in the principle weblog, if I believe it’s a subject of broad curiosity.

Up to date at 

The Home Office has performed a U-turn on a policy to deprive some modern slavery victims of protection from traffickers, Diane Taylor reports.

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Ministers have been urged to back an obscure compromise so that David Cameron can be scrutinised in the House of Commons despite not being an MP, PA Media reports.

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The story is based on this report from the procedure committee which points out that, if Cameron were invited to take questions from MPs at the “bar” of the Commons (the thick line in the carpet, near the entrance, which marks the formal entrance to the chamber), he would be following in the footsteps of the Duke of Wellington. It says:

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Until the first part of the nineteenth century, important inquiries were entrusted to committees of the whole House, with witnesses examined at the Bar. Members of the Lords, while providing evidence, were given chairs within the Bar but stood to answer questions.6 Indeed, there are several precedents for Members of the Lords addressing the Commons directly from within the Bar, as did Lord Melville in 1805,7 and the Duke of Wellington in 1814.

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Nowadays, witnesses provide evidence to inquiries overseen by select committees. It has been more than sixty years since a non-member appeared at the Bar of the House; the last instance was in 1957, when journalist John Junor was admonished.

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The government says it will consider the recommendation. But when Cameron, and No 10, have been asked about this issue, they have always insisted that Cameron is accountable anyway, because he takes questions from peers and fro the Commons foreign affairs committee, and that Labour cabinet ministers in the Lords did not appear at the bar of the Commons chamber. It sounds like the recommendation will be shelved.

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On the Today programme this morning Nick Robinson asked Kevin Hollinrake, the postal services minister, if he thought the Simon Clarke article was evidence of a “plot” to remove Rishi Sunak, or “an attempt of a coup”. Hollinrake gave a clear answer: “No, not at all.”

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Clarke himself has denied acting on behalf of someone else with leadership ambitions. And sources close to Liz Truss have been telling journalists this morning that she did know that this article was coming, and does not support it. “God knows what he’s up to,” said one

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But do we really believe that the article appeared out of the blue, and that Clarke just happened to ring up the Telegraph yesterday to offer his article unprompted? Here are five reasons to think that it is not that simple, and that some sort of plot is afoot.

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1) Clarke published his article only a week after expensive polling was published showing the Conservatives on course for a landslide defeat. YouGov says the polling was commissioned by Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister, and paid for by “the Conservative Britain Alliance”, a mysterious organisation apparently comprising party donors. No one has said who they are. We don’t know for sure why they put up the money (reportedly, a hefty five-figure sum), but it seems unlikely that they are disinterested psephologists.

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2) The Telegraph wrote up the poll findings in a way that supports the view that changing the party leader would make a difference. News organisations often present polling in a subjective manner, but this was quite an extreme example – prompting YouGov to disown the Telegraph’s interpretation. Not for the first time, the paper seems to be shaping Conservative politics, not just reporting it.

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3) Another tranche of polling has been published by the Telegraph today to back up Clarke’s argument. In its story on the Clarke article, the paper says:

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A YouGov poll of 13,000 voters suggests that a new Tory leader, championing core Conservative values, could secure a convincing victory over Labour.

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When people were asked who they would prefer as prime minister – Sir Keir or a new, tax-cutting Tory leader with a tougher approach to legal and illegal migration – voters in 322 constituencies in England and Wales preferred a new Tory leader, while Sir Keir came out on top in only 164 seats.

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In 89 constituencies the most common answer was “not sure”. If the “not sure” respondents are stripped out, a new Tory is most popular in 375 constituencies to 200.

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This seems to be a finding from the YouGov MRP poll published last week. But why was it saved up for use alongside an article from an MP calling for a new leader, unless the paper was sure this was coming?

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4) The Clarke article includes a phrase that suggests it was written for publication after January. This point has been raised by Christopher Hope, the GB News political editor, who posted these on X.

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Clarke references the MRP poll in his @Telegraph op-ed tonight: “In January, the Telegraph’s YouGov MRP poll showed that were an election to be held, the Conservatives would fall from our current 350 MPs to 169, just four more seats than Sir John held in 1997.”

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What is odd is that Clarke says “in January” in his @Telegraph article. Was this piece originally written with a view to it being published next month? Perhaps after a possible double by-election defeat on Feb 15th?

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5) Next month Clarke is due to join Liz Truss at the launch of a new group, Popular Conservatism, dedicated to restoring “democratic accountability to Britain” (code for getting rid of PMs who have not been elected by party members, or the electorate at large?) and delivering “popular conservative policies”. This does not sound like an effort to shore up Sunak.

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Last night Simon Clarke posted messages on X responding to the criticism he was getting from colleagues over his Telegraph article. He said “emphatically” that his call for Rishi Sunak to go was not motivated by a desire to secure the party leadership for himself, or for someone else.

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I know I will be attacked for saying this.

Perhaps even accused of positioning myself or on behalf of another — emphatically neither of which I am doing.

I am speaking out because the stakes for our country and my party are too high to stay silent

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Every Conservative MP will need to live with the decision they make in the coming days for the rest of their lives.

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Failing to act would itself represent a decision.

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Look at the polls.

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Personal insults don’t change the facts.

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I have no further comment to make.

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No 10 has not responded to the Simon Clarke article, but Kevin Hollinrake, the postal services minister, and someone who has had a friendly relationship with Rishi Sunak for years, was doing the broadcast round this morning and he said Conservative MPs overwhelmingly disagreed with what Clarke said. He told Times Radio:

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I don’t think [Clarke’s] proper. I believe the parliamentary social gathering and the broader social gathering is overwhelmingly in assist of the prime minister. Fairly rightly too. I don’t agree, I don’t assume Simon’s proper on this …

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In fact, some individuals panic at a troublesome time, however this isn’t the overwhelming view of the social gathering.

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Hollinrake.”,”caption”:”Kevin Hollinrake.”,”credit score”:”{Photograph}: Maria Unger/AP”],”attributes”:”pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”abstract”:false,”blockCreatedOn”:1706088447000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”04.27 EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1706089638000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”04.47 EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1706088990000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”04.36 EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”04.36″,”title”:”Tory MPs, and wider social gathering, ‘overwhelmingly’ assist Sunak, minister claims”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Wed 24 Jan 2024 05.51 EST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First printed on Wed 24 Jan 2024 04.17 EST”},”id”:”65b0b4308f08af761dc32338″,”parts”:[“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Good morning. Until last night, the only Conservative MP publicly calling for Rishi Sunak to resign was Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson acolyte who spent three and a half months as a junior minister. Even lobby correspondents would draw the line at calling her a “senior Tory” and no one paid much attention. But last night Sir Simon Clarke, who has served in cabinet under two prime ministers and who is not widely viewed as a crank, joined in, publishing an article in the Daily Telegraph saying the Tories should ditch Sunak before the general election.

“,”elementId”:”f728a324-6ad6-4d2c-aba4-9c77aea8b1af”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Potentially, this takes the Conservative leadership crisis into new territory. Clarke is close to Liz Truss, the former PM, who is about to launch a new group called Popular Conservatism (sic), or PopCon. It does not seem committed to supporting Sunak’s leadership. Perhaps more importantly, Clarke seems to have the backing of an even more important player in Tory politics: the Daily Telegraph.

“,”elementId”:”e2053b7b-9daf-4af3-a27d-d11a678f223c”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

But … the early indications are that this could fail just as dismally as the Geoff Hoon/Patricia Hewitt “coup” against Gordon Brown in 2010. Clarke does not seem to have any Conservative MPs clambering out of the trenches behind him, and some proper senior Tories have lined up to attack him.

“,”elementId”:”49f1cd48-7ba9-4d6d-b761-49f18df050df”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Priti Patel, the former home secretary, has accused him of “facile and divisive self-indulgence”.

“,”elementId”:”a36cb228-6ac7-472d-b03c-44da1022f22b”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”

n

At this critical time for our country, with challenges at home and abroad, our party must focus on the people we serve and deliver for the country. Engaging in facile and divisive self indulgence only serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

n

“,”elementId”:”f1d652f9-4208-468c-a806-83338e6ae4e3″,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1749908538049130767″,”elementId”:”49bcb8a8-fdf8-45b6-831c-08c7dab2eaaa”,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1749908538049130767″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”

“,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”

Liam Fox, the former international trade secretary, says Clarke’s initiative makes a big defeat more likely.

“,”elementId”:”dd419ad3-bdbb-4707-b147-2f6d5e3b8abf”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”

n

This is not the time for self indulgence and tribalism in the party. Those who have an agenda to destabilise the government in an election year should understand the consequences. Having been on the front bench for all 13 years in opposition, it is a miserable place. Be warned.

n

“,”elementId”:”cb64f99a-e5d0-49a7-9ea5-3868575bacf3″,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1749902138849861911″,”elementId”:”ec957b90-f5ea-41e7-8d1c-f696d2a4f053″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/LiamFox/status/1749902138849861911″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”

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David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, says Clarke is just being silly.

“,”elementId”:”6ba338a5-2cc0-4355-99dc-83f26787349e”,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”

n

This is getting silly.

The Party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK’s best interests.

n

“,”elementId”:”bbf9210c-5f76-4d39-a116-9b89d467d842″,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1749899913054323181″,”elementId”:”d15526bd-8752-435b-b396-01f2b13b03b7″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/DavidDavisMP/status/1749899913054323181″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”

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n

It is really about time that these people realise they have a duty to the country that is greater than their personal leadership ambitions.

n

“,”elementId”:”a337c8cb-15ef-449e-88a1-1adce13306d4″,”_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1749899915289833479″,”elementId”:”c63c7b73-52f3-46f0-b33d-a0a01e129495″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/DavidDavisMP/status/1749899915289833479″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”

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And Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, said:

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n

My colleague Sir Simon Clarke MP is wrong. The way to win the next election is to tackle inflation and grow the economy.

n

Rishi is doing just that. Division and another PM would lead to the certain loss of power. We need to focus on delivering for the public not divisive rowing.

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And the opposition parties can’t believe their luck. This is from Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign coordinator.

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n

Labour will focus on serving the British people whilst the Tories form another circular firing squad.

n

There are many good reasons for getting rid of this clapped out Conservative government and liberating the British people from endless bouts of Tory infighting is certainly one of them.

n

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Here is the agenda for the day.

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Noon: Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at PMQs.

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After 12.45pm: MPs debate all stages of the Northern Ireland (executive formation) bill, which gives more time for a power-sharing executive to be formed before elections have to be held because it has not happened.

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Afternoon: MPs hold a general debate “on the situation in the Red Sea”.

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If you want to contact me, do try the “send us a message” feature. You’ll see it just below the byline – on the left of the screen, if you are reading on a laptop or a desktop. This is for people who want to message me directly. I find it very useful when people message to point out errors (even typos – no mistake is too small to correct). Often I find your questions very interesting, too. I can’t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either in the comments below the line; privately (if you leave an email address and that seems more appropriate); or in the main blog, if I think it is a topic of wide interest.

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Key occasions

Residence Workplace U-turns on coverage to limit assist for trafficking victims

The Residence Workplace has carried out a U-turn on a coverage to deprive some trendy slavery victims of safety from traffickers, Diane Taylor reviews.

David Cameron ought to face questions from MPs in Commons chamber, process committee recommends

Ministers have been urged to again an obscure compromise in order that David Cameron could be scrutinised within the Home of Commons regardless of not being an MP, PA Media reviews.

The story is predicated on this report from the process committee which factors out that, if Cameron had been invited to take questions from MPs on the “bar” of the Commons (the thick line within the carpet, close to the doorway, which marks the formal entrance to the chamber), he can be following within the footsteps of the Duke of Wellington. It says:

Till the primary a part of the nineteenth century, essential inquiries had been entrusted to committees of the entire Home, with witnesses examined on the Bar. Members of the Lords, whereas offering proof, got chairs throughout the Bar however stood to reply questions.6 Certainly, there are a number of precedents for Members of the Lords addressing the Commons instantly from throughout the Bar, as did Lord Melville in 1805,7 and the Duke of Wellington in 1814.

These days, witnesses present proof to inquiries overseen by choose committees. It has been greater than sixty years since a non-member appeared on the Bar of the Home; the final occasion was in 1957, when journalist John Junor was admonished.

The federal government says it’ll take into account the advice. However when Cameron, and No 10, have been requested about this concern, they’ve at all times insisted that Cameron is accountable anyway, as a result of he takes questions from friends and fro the Commons overseas affairs committee, and that Labour cupboard ministers within the Lords didn’t seem on the bar of the Commons chamber. It appears like the advice might be shelved.

Minister rejects declare Clarke’s article linked to a ‘plot’ to eliminate Sunak

On the At present programme this morning Nick Robinson requested Kevin Hollinrake, the postal companies minister, if he thought the Simon Clarke article was proof of a “plot” to take away Rishi Sunak, or “an try of a coup”. Hollinrake gave a transparent reply: “No, in no way.”

Clarke himself has denied appearing on behalf of another person with management ambitions. And sources near Liz Truss have been telling journalists this morning that she did know that this text was coming, and doesn’t assist it. “God is aware of what he’s as much as,” stated one

However do we actually consider that the article appeared out of the blue, and that Clarke simply occurred to ring up the Telegraph yesterday to supply his article unprompted? Listed below are 5 causes to assume that it’s not that easy, and that some form of plot is afoot.

1) Clarke printed his article solely per week after costly polling was printed exhibiting the Conservatives heading in the right direction for a landslide defeat. YouGov says the polling was commissioned by Lord Frost, the previous Brexit minister, and paid for by “the Conservative Britain Alliance”, a mysterious organisation apparently comprising social gathering donors. Nobody has stated who they’re. We don’t know for positive why they put up the cash (reportedly, a hefty five-figure sum), however it appears unlikely that they’re disinterested psephologists.

2) The Telegraph wrote up the ballot findings in a means that helps the view that altering the social gathering chief would make a distinction. Information organisations typically current polling in a subjective method, however this was fairly an excessive instance – prompting YouGov to disown the Telegraph’s interpretation. Not for the primary time, the paper appears to be shaping Conservative politics, not simply reporting it.

3) One other tranche of polling has been printed by the Telegraph at present to again up Clarke’s argument. In its story on the Clarke article, the paper says:

A YouGov ballot of 13,000 voters suggests {that a} new Tory chief, championing core Conservative values, might safe a convincing victory over Labour.

When individuals had been requested who they would like as prime minister – Sir Keir or a brand new, tax-cutting Tory chief with a more durable strategy to authorized and unlawful migration – voters in 322 constituencies in England and Wales most well-liked a brand new Tory chief, whereas Sir Keir got here out on prime in solely 164 seats.

In 89 constituencies the commonest reply was “unsure”. If the “unsure” respondents are stripped out, a brand new Tory is hottest in 375 constituencies to 200.

This appears to be a discovering from the YouGov MRP ballot printed final week. However why was it saved up to be used alongside an article from an MP calling for a brand new chief, until the paper was positive this was coming?

4) The Clarke article features a phrase that implies it was written for publication after January. This level has been raised by Christopher Hope, the GB Information political editor, who posted these on X.

Clarke references the MRP ballot in his @Telegraph op-ed tonight: “In January, the Telegraph’s YouGov MRP ballot confirmed that had been an election to be held, the Conservatives would fall from our present 350 MPs to 169, simply 4 extra seats than Sir John held in 1997.”

What’s odd is that Clarke says “in January” in his @Telegraph article. Was this piece initially written with a view to it being printed subsequent month? Maybe after a attainable double by-election defeat on Feb fifteenth?

5) Subsequent month Clarke is because of be part of Liz Truss on the launch of a brand new group, Common Conservatism, devoted to restoring “democratic accountability to Britain” (code for eliminating PMs who haven’t been elected by social gathering members, or the voters at giant?) and delivering “common conservative insurance policies”. This doesn’t sound like an effort to shore up Sunak.

Common Conservatism is launching in central London on Tuesday sixth February.

When you’d like to hitch me, @Jacob_Rees_Mogg, @SimonClarkeMP, @ranil and others, please go to https://t.co/pKpduKS8FQ to register. pic.twitter.com/1ghRVO9xCz

— Liz Truss (@trussliz) January 22, 2024

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Clarke says his name for Sunak to go ’emphatically’ not motivated by management ambitions, his or anybody else’s

Final evening Simon Clarke posted messages on X responding to the criticism he was getting from colleagues over his Telegraph article. He stated “emphatically” that his name for Rishi Sunak to go was not motivated by a want to safe the social gathering management for himself, or for another person.

I do know I might be attacked for saying this.

Even perhaps accused of positioning myself or on behalf of one other — emphatically neither of which I’m doing.

I’m talking out as a result of the stakes for our nation and my social gathering are too excessive to remain silent.https://t.co/oMITm2Mi7N

— Simon Clarke MP (@SimonClarkeMP) January 23, 2024

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I do know I might be attacked for saying this.

Even perhaps accused of positioning myself or on behalf of one other — emphatically neither of which I’m doing.

I’m talking out as a result of the stakes for our nation and my social gathering are too excessive to remain silent.https://t.co/oMITm2Mi7N

— Simon Clarke MP (@SimonClarkeMP) January 23, 2024

I do know I might be attacked for saying this.

Even perhaps accused of positioning myself or on behalf of one other — emphatically neither of which I’m doing.

I’m talking out as a result of the stakes for our nation and my social gathering are too excessive to remain silent

Each Conservative MP might want to reside with the choice they make within the coming days for the remainder of their lives.

Failing to behave would itself symbolize a choice.

Take a look at the polls.

Private insults don’t change the info.

I’ve no additional remark to make.

Tory MPs, and wider social gathering, ‘overwhelmingly’ assist Sunak, minister claims

No 10 has not responded to the Simon Clarke article, however Kevin Hollinrake, the postal companies minister, and somebody who has had a pleasant relationship with Rishi Sunak for years, was doing the published spherical this morning and he stated Conservative MPs overwhelmingly disagreed with what Clarke stated. He advised Occasions Radio:

I don’t assume [Clarke’s] proper. I believe the parliamentary social gathering and the broader social gathering is overwhelmingly in assist of the prime minister. Fairly rightly too. I don’t agree, I don’t assume Simon’s proper on this …

In fact, some individuals panic at a troublesome time, however this isn’t the overwhelming view of the social gathering.

Kevin Hollinrake.
Kevin Hollinrake. {Photograph}: Maria Unger/AP

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As Eleni Courea reviews, in non-public Conservatives have been much more essential of Simon Clarke than the previous ministers who’ve been criticising him on X. She says:

Talking privately, different Tory MPs had been much more forthright. “Unsure we needs to be taking prime tips about management from Liz Truss’s proper hand,” one minister advised the Guardian.

“What the bloody hell is Simon Clarke doing?” stated a Tory MP who backed Truss within the 2022 management contest.

One other Tory MP stated: “Simon Clarke hasn’t helped himself, the social gathering, his nation or any of his colleagues tonight – solely [Keir] Starmer. He must go residence, have a lie down in a darkish room and repeatedly say ‘I have to take the battle to Labour’ till it lastly sinks in.”

A senior Tory official stated of Clarke: “If he desires to assist Sir Keir develop into the following PM he ought to simply cross the ground.”

‘That is getting foolish’: senior Tories criticise Simon Clarke after he requires Sunak’s resignation

Good morning. Till final evening, the one Conservative MP publicly calling for Rishi Sunak to resign was Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson acolyte who spent three and a half months as a junior minister. Even foyer correspondents would draw the road at calling her a “senior Tory” and nobody paid a lot consideration. However final evening Sir Simon Clarke, who has served in cupboard underneath two prime ministers and who is just not broadly considered as a crank, joined in, publishing an article within the Day by day Telegraph saying the Tories ought to ditch Sunak earlier than the overall election.

Doubtlessly, this takes the Conservative management disaster into new territory. Clarke is near Liz Truss, the previous PM, who’s about to launch a new group called Popular Conservatism (sic), or PopCon. It doesn’t appear dedicated to supporting Sunak’s management. Maybe extra importantly, Clarke appears to have the backing of an much more essential participant in Tory politics: the Day by day Telegraph.

However … the early indications are that this might fail simply as dismally because the Geoff Hoon/Patricia Hewitt “coup” in opposition to Gordon Brown in 2010. Clarke doesn’t appear to have any Conservative MPs clambering out of the trenches behind him, and a few correct senior Tories have lined as much as assault him.

Priti Patel, the previous residence secretary, has accused him of “facile and divisive self-indulgence”.

At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) January 23, 2024

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At this essential time for our nation, with challenges at residence and overseas, our social gathering should give attention to the individuals we serve and ship for the nation. Participating in facile and divisive self indulgence solely serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) January 23, 2024

Liam Fox, the previous worldwide commerce secretary, says Clarke’s initiative makes a giant defeat extra probably.

This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

— Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) January 23, 2024

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This isn’t the time for self indulgence and tribalism within the social gathering. Those that have an agenda to destabilise the federal government in an election 12 months ought to perceive the implications. Having been on the entrance bench for all 13 years in opposition, it’s a depressing place. Be warned.

— Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) January 23, 2024

David Davis, the previous Brexit secretary, says Clarke is simply fooling around.

That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK’s greatest pursuits.

That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK's greatest pursuits. https://t.co/kmkXco6hMc

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

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That is getting foolish.

The Social gathering and the nation are sick and uninterested in MPs placing their very own management ambitions forward of the UK’s greatest pursuits. https://t.co/kmkXco6hMc

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

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It’s actually about time that these individuals realise they’ve an obligation to the nation that’s better than their private management ambitions.

— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) January 23, 2024

And Ben Wallace, the previous defence secretary, stated:

My colleague Sir Simon Clarke MP is fallacious. The best way to win the following election is to deal with inflation and develop the financial system.

Rishi is doing simply that. Division and one other PM would result in the sure lack of energy. We have to give attention to delivering for the general public not divisive rowing.

And the opposition events can’t consider their luck. That is from Pat McFadden, Labour’s nationwide marketing campaign coordinator.

Labour will give attention to serving the British individuals while the Tories kind one other round firing squad.

There are various good causes for eliminating this clapped out Conservative authorities and liberating the British individuals from countless bouts of Tory infighting is definitely considered one of them.

Right here is the agenda for the day.

Midday: Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at PMQs.

After 12.45pm: MPs debate all levels of the Northern Eire (govt formation) invoice, which supplies extra time for a power-sharing govt to be shaped earlier than elections need to be held as a result of it has not occurred.

Afternoon: MPs maintain a normal debate “on the scenario within the Crimson Sea”.

If you wish to contact me, do strive the “ship us a message” characteristic. You’ll see it just under the byline – on the left of the display screen, in case you are studying on a laptop computer or a desktop. That is for individuals who need to message me instantly. I discover it very helpful when individuals message to level out errors (even typos – no mistake is simply too small to right). Usually I discover your questions very attention-grabbing, too. I can’t promise to answer to all of them, however I’ll attempt to reply to as many as I can, both within the feedback beneath the road; privately (in the event you depart an e-mail handle and that appears extra acceptable); or in the principle weblog, if I believe it’s a subject of broad curiosity.

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