Former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke has urged the Conservative Party to replace Rishi Sunak as the prime minister to avoid a potential "massacre" in the upcoming general election.

Writing in The Telegraph, Sir Simon emphasized the need for a leader who aligns with the majority's instincts, criticizing the party for losing key voters due to a lack of boldness on issues such as immigration and government reform.

Sir Simon, who previously rebelled on the Rwanda Bill, asserted that the Conservative Party, under Sunak's leadership, is positioned on the opposite side of a widening precipice. He argued that the stakes for the country and the party are too high to remain silent and that action must be taken.

Minister Kevin Hollinrake countered Sir Simon's position, stating that the majority of the party supports Rishi Sunak as the right person for the role, highlighting Sunak's economic achievements and success in reducing Channel crossings.

Notably, other former Tory cabinet ministers, including Dame Priti Patel and David Davis, criticized Sir Simon's article, accusing him of self-indulgence and prioritizing personal ambitions over the country's interests.

Sir Simon is the second former minister openly calling for Sunak's resignation, with a general election expected later in the year. The article comes amid growing discontent within the party, particularly regarding the Rwanda Bill, which saw a significant rebellion of 61 Conservative MPs.

Despite potential concerns about the impact of changing leadership, Sir Simon argued that the choice facing Conservative MPs is between a week of chaotic headlines or a decade of decline under Keir Starmer's leadership. The ongoing divisions within the Conservative Party have been highlighted by recent events, including the resignations of deputy chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith over the Rwanda Bill.

The article also pointed to a YouGov poll projecting a substantial lead for Labour in the general election, fueling the sense of gloom among Conservatives. Sir Simon warned of potential losses in Tory strongholds, emphasizing the need for decisive action to avoid a significant electoral setback. Photo by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.