Tory backlash at early poll as MPs say: ‘We should have waited’

RISHI SUNAK faced a backlash from some nervous Tories yesterday after he called the election — despite his party’s dire poll ratings.

Many had expected an autumn poll when they hoped the story on the economy and flights to Rwanda would have improved further.

As election fever grew in the morning, ministers cancelled interviews, foreign trips were pulled and MPs panicked at the prospect of losing their seats.

In order to attend Cabinet, Foreign Secretary David Cameron had to return early from Albania, where the streets had been adorned with Union Jack bunting and a giant portrait of him with the words ‘Welcome Lord Cameron’.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps delayed a trip to eastern Europe and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt axed a scheduled television interview.

When the announcement came, it triggered a backlash against the PM, with one MP texting him: ‘Are you off your rocker’. Another accused him of having a ‘death wish’ for going to the polls when the party languishes more than 20 points behind Labour.

MPs said many colleagues were ‘frenzied’ about the prospect of a July 4 election. Others joked that the only place there would be a celebratory party last night was Labour HQ.

While some on the Right of the party erupted in fury, others in the moderate One Nation caucus were more supportive. One made the point that despite two cuts to national insurance and better news on the economy, the polls are not moving. He added: ‘Makes sense on a lot of levels to go now. Genuinely a snap.’

But one Tory MP said colleagues were ‘ furious’, adding: ‘ He’s pulled the rug from under us. I can’t make rhyme nor reason of it. I can only think he’s given up. That he’s thrown in the towel.’

There was also talk of staging a coup to prevent Mr Sunak going to the King to dissolve Parliament by calling a vote of no confidence. Another said the PM should’ve held a meeting of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers to explain the announcement.

Most MPs were wearily resigned to their fates as they contemplated the loss of their seats – and the end of 14 years of Tory rule.

Some 65 Tory MPs are standing down at the next election. Many lamented that they would be unable to say proper goodbyes to their colleagues. As soon as Parliament is dissolved, all MPs head back to their constituencies to campaign for their seats until the election result.

But another MP said: ‘To be honest I think many of my colleagues just want to get the damn thing out of the way.’ Yet another welcomed the date, saying ‘ the sooner the better for me’. Special advisers lose their jobs when Parliament is dissolved – and the prospect of their return is highly unlikely.

And a former adviser said: ‘Everyone thinks this is a disaster for the Tories.

‘Classic Rishi not making strategic choices. And the optics of getting soaked? He deserves to lose.’

As rain drenched the umbrella-less PM and the New Labour victory song Things Can Only Get Better drowned out his speech, another ex-adviser said: ‘How have they even messed this up?’

After May’s dire local election results, many Tories had expected to sit tight till autumn – now they will go back to their constituencies to fight a battle many fear they will not win.

‘How have they even messed this up?’