Grant Shapps says PM should be able to 'get on with his job' as election speculation swirls

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Grant Shapps has warned Tory MPs against ousting Rishi Sunak and said the Prime Minister should be left to “do his job” – amid speculation that the Prime Minister could announce an election in the coming weeks.

The Defense Secretary said Mr Sunak should be given the “space” to do his job. “He does a great job – he does it in difficult circumstances,” Mr Shapps said.

“There has never been an instruction manual to do these difficult things and guide us in a difficult path. "

Several Number 10 sources have played down claims that the Prime Minister could call an election as early as Monday, pointing to Mr Sunak's repeated insistence that a vote should take place. during the second half of this year.< /p>

Speculation is mounting that the Prime Minister will announce the election date on Monday (Getty Images)

Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was among those who suggested the Prime Minister would call an election next week. "I estimate the chances of a general election being called tomorrow or next week at 50 per cent," she said.

Sir Tony Blair's communications chief at Downing Street, Alastair Campbell, also highlighted “mega-elections.” rumors". While Conservative Party founder Tim Montgomerie said: “The rumors of an election announcement on Monday are reaching 1,000 mph.

“If they are false and Downing Street does not does not reject them anytime soon, the No. 10 party operators risk being seen as bottlenecks”

The rumors have multiplied in the run-up to the local elections on May 2, which should see the conservatives lose. hundreds of seats on the local council.

Mr Sunak has been warned he could face an attempt to replace him if Conservative mayors Ben Houchen and Andy Street – the most high-profile figures in the party outside Westminster – lost their seats.

Both elections, in the Tees Valley and the West Midlands, are neck and neck, although both men won significant majorities in 2021.

Conservatives fear Ben Houchen could be defeated in next week's Tees Valley mayoral election (Ian Forsyth/ PA Wire)

The rumors appear...