Rishi Sunak is facing a “growing plot” from outraged Tory MPs who fear a Labour landslide at the next election.
The prime minister’s current dilemma is similar to that of Gordon Brown, who held back on an election in 2007.
After Labour lost the 2008 election, he became known as “Bottler Brown”, with Tory party aides following him around wearing “Bottler Brown” outfits
And Rishi Sunak could be heading for the same fate, despite him having confirmed that an election will take place in 2024 and not 2025.
Many close to the PM are reportedly calling on him to wait for the autumn of next year to call an election, hoping to win back a fifth of voters by then.
The government is getting some positive feedback due to falling inflation and fears over Labour’s plans to borrow £28billion.
Labour is talking up a spring election and waiting to pounce if the PM waits until later in the year, ready to label him Chicken Sunak.
But Mr Sunak could be avoiding an early election to stop it triggering an attempt by disgruntled MPs to topple him.
Some are still angry at the PM for sacking the former Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Others feel his talk of amendments to the Rwanda bill will not address their needs.
The Conservatives currently have 25 percent support in recent polls but the dominance of Labour and the potential resurgence of Nigel Farage could push this even lower.
A Tory mutiny could also put off more voters, due to having seen three coups in as many years.
