Senior Tory MPs warn Rishi Sunak against May general election in tense private talks
SENIOR Tory MPs have warned the PM against a May general election in tense private talks, The Sun can reveal.
The powerful 1922 Committee Executive, which represents Conservative backbenchers, met Rishi Sunak on Monday evening.
A number of top figures on the body confronted the Prime Minister over growing fears some No 10 aides are pushing to go to the polls on May 2.
But the so-called Men in Grey Suits told him doing so would be “barking mad” and urged a wait until autumn.
However, “a handful” of MPs on the ruling committee suggested using the same day as May’s local elections could stem some losses, as the Tories languish 20 points behind Labour in the polls.
Others warned the PM could be in mortal danger of an attempt to oust him were the Conservatives to get their expected drubbing on that day.
But more senior figures insisted the vast majority of Tory backbenchers want to wait until the autumn for the next election.
A senior Tory source said: “Early is for the birds and seven months is a long time in politics. Just imagine what would happen if England won the Euros, Team GB had a hat full of gold at the Olympics — the landscape could be very different.”
Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 Committee boss, had a private meeting with the PM after the talks, but pals insisted it was a “routine chat”.
Downing Street insiders insist the chances of a May general election remain “vanishingly small”.
And last week, Mr Sunak repeated his claim that the “working assumption” was of an election in the second half of this year.
Party strategists say October is still the most likely date, with hopes of an economic recovery helping by then to close the gap with Labour.