Tory infighting breaks out after former minister calls on Sunak to step down

Simon Clarke challenged Rishi Sunak’s authority (Richard Pohle/The Times)

Tory infighting broke out into the open with senior party figures warning against “divisive self-indulgence” after a former minister called for Rishi Sunak to step down ahead of the UK general election.

Former ministers urged colleagues to put their duty to the country ahead of “tribalism” following a challenge to Mr Sunak’s authority launched by Simon Clarke.

Writing in the Telegraph, the former levelling up secretary insisted “extinction is a very real possibility” for the party if Mr Sunak leads it into the election this year.

Sir Simon Clarke has called for a change in leadership in the Conservative Party (UK Parliament/PA)

Mr Clarke, who also served in the Treasury while Mr Sunak was chancellor, said the Conservatives face being “massacred” with him at the helm.

Other senior party figures immediately hit back, urging colleagues to “unite and get on with the job”.

Former Brexit secretary David Davis said: “The party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK’s best interests.”

Former home secretary Priti Patel said: “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.”

Sir David Davis warned his Tory colleagues to be cautious (UK Parliament/Maria Unger/PA)

Former defence and trade secretary Liam Fox said those attempting to “destabilise the government in an election year should understand the consequences”.

Former British prime minister Liz Truss, whose 2022 leadership bid Mr Clarke threw his support behind before serving as levelling up secretary in her Cabinet, does not back his intervention, it is understood.

Downing Street has been contacted for comment.

Mr Clarke was among 11 Conservative MPs who voted against Mr Sunak’s Rwanda Bill at its third reading earlier this month, despite Mr Sunak seeing off a wider Tory rebellion.

His comments come amid a slew of wider challenges facing Mr Sunak, including opinion polls that show a healthy Labour lead and making progress on pledges to “stop the boats” and revive Britain’s sluggish economy.

Mr Clarke’s attack has given Keir Starmer plenty of ammunition as he faces Mr Sunak for Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, with Labour having accused the Tories of embroiling themselves in a “circular firing squad”.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper branded the intervention “utterly ludicrous” and said voters were “sick and tired of this never-ending Conservative Party soap opera.”

Despite the intervention by Mr Clarke, Mr Sunak is not believed to be in immediate danger of a leadership challenge.

A contest would only be triggered if 53 Tory MPs submit no confidence letters to the chairman of the backbench 1922 committee.