But a drubbing in mayoral and council elections on May 2 could either lead to a challenge to his leadership or persuade him that an earlier polling day could be a better solution than limping on with a divided party.
The defection of a Conservative ex-health minister to Labor could further spook already remaining Tory MPs and increase the pressure on Sunak.
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Dan Poulter on Saturday announced he was quitting the Tory Party, which he accused of no longer prioritizing the overstretched National Health Service.
Sunak was asked on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, recorded before Poulter’s shock defection, whether the latter half of 2024 could mean July.
He said: “I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said, I’ve been very clear about that.”
Pressed repeatedly whether he was ruling out July, he said: “I’m not going to do that.
“You’re going to try and draw whatever conclusion you want from what I say. I’m going to always try and say the same thing. “You should just listen to what I said, same thing I’ve said all year.”
When Phillips said he wanted to know when to book his summer holidays, Sunak replied: “Actually, Trevor, it’s more important than your holiday or anyone’s holiday. I’ve got a job to do which is delivering for the country.
“And as we’ve been talking about, we are delivering when it comes to tackling illegal migration. “We’re delivering when it comes to investing in our defense.”
In less than a week, the Tories are expected to lose about half of their council seats up for election, while their two most high-profile regional mayors face difficult contests.
Some analysts believe defeat for West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen could lead to Sunak facing a no-confidence vote, with 52 Tory MPs needed to trigger one.
There were rumors swirling in Westminster on Friday that Sunak could fire the starting gun on an election campaign as soon as Monday in a bid to thwart a possible challenge from remaining MPs, although Downing Street brushed them off.
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