BADENOCH BID Tory rebels hope to topple Rishi Sunak and crown ‘new Thatcher’ Kemi Badenoch as leader

With the Tories around 20 points behind Labour in the polls, Rishi Sunak is facing fresh questions over his leadership

TORY rebels want to crown Kemi Badenoch Tory leader in May because they think she could be “the next Mrs Thatcher”.

Insiders said the Trade Secretary is in pole position to replace Rishi Sunak if he is ousted before a General Election.

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A source close to Tory rebels says that they think Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch can shake things up and beat Sir Keir StarmerCredit: Getty

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The PM is facing fresh questions over his leadership as the Tories lag behind Labour in the pollsCredit: Alamy

But former party deputy chairman Lee Anderson has urged Tories to unite behind Rishi.

He said: “The common enemy is the Labour Party not our own people.”

A source close to the rebel camp — described as “rats in a sack” by an ally of Mr Sunak — said: “Kemi is in pole position with the rebels. They think she can shake things up and beat Starmer.

“As Thatcher said, if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. You never know, Kemi could be our next Thatcher.

“But Penny Mordaunt is on manoeuvres too. Rishi has until the May local elections to turn things around or he’ll be shown the door.

“Then it looks like it will be a battle of the women for who leads the Tory party.”

Another said Kemi had been urged by supporters to “be prepared” for a leadership contest if the tide turns against Mr Sunak.

With the Tories around 20 points behind Labour in the polls, Mr Sunak is facing fresh questions over his leadership.

Earlier this week, Sir Simon Clarke became the first senior Tory to publicly call for him to quit.

Mr Clarke told the Sun on Sunday Tories cannot “do an ostrich job” and march on to annihilation at the ballot box.

Asked about leadership plots he added: “Ultimately it is for my colleagues to make a decision.”

Plotters could strike if the Tories take a drubbing in May.

Under current rules, 15 per cent of Tory MPs — or 53 MPs — need to send in letters of no confidence to trigger a leadership vote, although some loyal Tories are pushing to change the rules to 50 per cent.

A source close to Ms Badenoch said those pitching her as leader “do not have her interests at heart” and are trying “to destabilise her”.

An ally of the PM said: “These people are rats in a sack. It’s a rabble.”

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Rebels are also said to be considering Penny Mordaunt, and looking to the late Lady Thatcher's statement ‘if you want something done, ask a woman’Credit: Rex Features

Q&A

Q. WHAT is happening in the Conservative party?

A. THE Tories are 20 points behind Labour in the polls, sparking questions about PM Rishi Sunak’s leadership.

Q. WHO is plotting against the PM?

A. DISGRUNTLED ex Tory donors and Conservative peer Lord David Frost have put out a damaging poll predicting there will be a Labour landslide.

Ex advisers, including ex No10 pollster Will Dry, are in this camp. Tory MP Sir Simon Clarke has also called for the PM to go.

Q. WHO could replace Mr Sunak as PM?

A. CABINET ministers Kemi Badenoch and Penny ­Mordaunt are the frontrunners if the Prime Minister does go.

Q. HOW likely is it that Rishi Sunak is toppled before a general election?

A. NOT very. Most Conservative MPs want him to stay. And while some are gloomy, most think deposing another Tory leader will make them more unpopular with voters.

However, the May local elections could reignite calls for him to go