Nervous Tories implore PM to 'ignore populist madness' and maintain slim election hopes

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Anxious Tory MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to present a vision – and avoid catastrophe – at their party conference, as they increasingly consider a narrow path to avoid electoral humiliation.

This weekend will see the start of the race for power in next year's general election. But Mr Sunak risks being sidetracked by what is shaping up to be an all-powerful battle between his party's right and more moderates - pushing him to ignore their "populist madness".

Over the next two weeks, the Prime Minister and his opponent Sir Keir Starmer will have major platforms to show voters why they should be given the keys to Number 10.

MPs Conservatives have been boosted by a poll which suggests Mr Sunak's controversial decision last week to abandon some green targets - including a ban on new petrol cars - has narrowed the gap with Labour.

But many Conservative MPs still see the days ahead as a challenge to be overcome rather than enjoying them. A former minister, a supporter of Sunak, said his leader’s task was “not to screw it up”. He added: “It will have to be a very good speech. »

Conservative MPs privately admit that the range of their election hopes extends, as one put it, "from 'how can we lose the best we can' can, how far can we gain victory.”

But they have seen a possible light at the end of the tunnel in recent days. “Last week he managed to narrow the gap with Labor by showing he was in charge. If we are accused of coasting, people notice that he wants to change things,” said one MP.

“Labor and the Liberal Democrats present a very negative view. He can say “yes, there are problems”, but assert that he is the one who can solve them. Not Starmer.

But he also launched the eternal appeal to deputies from their leader, for a vision. “He's going to have to take these things and put them into vision – and into sound...