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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has again refused to rule out a July general election, amid speculation that a disastrous set of local election results for the Tories could force his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunak said he would not “say anything more than I’ve already said”, which is that the national poll is likely to be in the second half of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most Westminster analysts take this as meaning October or November, although it could technically also mean July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The defection of a Conservative ex-health minister to Labour could further spook already restive Tory MPs and increase the pressure on the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan Poulter on Saturday announced he was quitting the Tory Party, which he accused of no longer prioritising the overstretched NHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunak was asked on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, recorded before Poulter’s shock defection, whether the latter half of 2024 could mean July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prime Minister said: \u201cI\u2019m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said, I’ve been very clear about that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pressed repeatedly whether he was ruling out July, he said: “I’m not going to do that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When presenter, Trevor said he wanted to know when to book his summer holidays, the Prime Minister 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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And as we’ve been talking about, we are delivering when it comes to tackling illegal migration. We\u2019re delivering when it comes to investing in our defence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The full interview will air on Sky News on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some analysts believe defeat for West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen could lead to the Prime Minister facing a no-confidence vote, with 52 Tory MPs needed to trigger one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rumours were 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 restive MPs, though Downing Street brushed them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest possible date he could hold the election is January 28, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunak sought to bolster his premiership this week with a flurry of announcements, including the passing of Rwanda asylum legislation and a pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product on defence by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps urged colleagues considering ousting Sunak before the general election to \u201clet him get on with the job.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow is not the time or place\u201d to try to put in place yet another Conservative leader, he told The Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n