Does ANYONE want to be Tory Party chair? Rishi Sunak ‘struggling to find big hitter’ to replace Nadhim Zahawi in key role as dire polls point to local elections meltdown in May
The Tories are still without a party chair four days after Nadhim Zahawi was sacked – with claims big hitters are shunning the job.
MPs are bewildered that Rishi Sunak has yet to announce a replacement for Mr Zahawi after he was found to have breached the ministerial code over his tax settlement with HMRC.
Although appointments often happen the same day as departures, Downing Street has indicated there is ‘nothing imminent’.
Senior figures such as Priti Patel and Brandon Lewis are believed to be shunning the role – which comes with a seat at the Cabinet table.
The behind-the-scenes hunt comes amid more dire polls for the Conservatives. YouGov research today showed that barely one in 10 voters think it likely that Mr Sunak will still be PM after the next general election.
The party is also braced for apocalyptic results at local elections in May, with the next chair facing a battering from members and MPs.
Rishi Sunak (pictured) has yet to announce a replacement for Nadhim Zahawi after he was found to have breached the ministerial code over his tax settlement with HMRC
Senior figures such as Priti Patel (pictured) and Brandon Lewis are believed to be shunning the role – which comes with a seat at the Cabinet table
It is understood that Mr Lewis, who was a popular party chair previously, does not want to return to the job
A source said to be close to former Home Secretary Ms Patel told the Telegraph that the post was now ‘impotent’ and only a ‘lightweight careerist’ would accept it.
It is understood that Mr Lewis, who was a popular chair previously, does not want to return.
Some MPs have mooted Boris Johnson as a possible chair, but admit that he would not take the job even if Mr Sunak was minded to bring him back.
One former Cabinet minister told MailOnline: ‘It is beginning to look odd that it is taking so long. There are fifty junior ministers who would love to be party chairman so it cannot be that hard to find someone.’
Another senior Tory admitted the chair job did not currently have much appeal to established big hitters. ‘It’s not exactly boom time for us,’ they said.
A veteran MP acknowledged the delay was ‘strange’.
The YouGov poll for Times Radio found that 72 per cent of voters thought it was unlikely Mr Sunak will remain as PM after the next general election
Even in Tory heartlands polls have suggested that Labour is ahead and more trusted on key political issues
Ms Patel’s allies distanced her from the briefing about her views, dismissing it as ‘general gossip’.
The YouGov poll for Times Radio found that 72 per cent of voters thought it was unlikely Mr Sunak will remain as PM after the next general election – which has to happen before January 2025.
Just 13 per cent thought it was probable he will still be in post.
Even among Tory voters around two-thirds regarded it as an outside bet that Mr Sunak will stay as premier.
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