The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tory Bowie says Sunak has to remain despite local election drubbing
A Scottish Tory MP has said changing prime minister after bleak results in England’s local elections would only mean more ballot box misery for the Conservatives.
Andrew Bowie acknowledged it was a “tough set of elections” for his party, which lost more than 470 councillors – just under half the seats they were defending.
Fewer elected members were returned than the Liberal Democrats, while Labour picked up 180 and took control of eight councils – including areas with seats seen as general election bellwethers.
But Mr Bowie insisted there were still positives, including a mayoral victory in Tees Valley for Ben Houchen.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Mr Bowie said: “If we were to change leader again, I think people would understandably roll their eyes and really never give us their consideration when it comes to the election.
“We need to show we are serious about dealing with the challenges and not focused on petty political games, which I think the public has had far too much of in recent years.”
Mr Bowie called on his colleagues to go back to work and prove to voters they can do what is necessary to turn the economy around.
He said: “Local elections tend to be a point where people express their frustration with the government. There’s no point panicking. I think we just need to get on with the job.”
It was a far better set of elections for the Liberal Democrats, including taking Dorset Council from the Conservatives.
Orkney and Shetland Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said the results had been “catastrophically bad” for the Tories and suggested Mr Sunak could face a leadership challenge before he even has a chance to set out the date for a general election.
He said: “I think the longer it goes on, the worse it gets for Rishi Sunak.”
Labour’s deputy campaign co-ordinator said her party needs to rebuild trust with Muslim voters after n apparent backlash over its stance on Gaza.
Ellie Reeves said it had “a lot of work to do” before the general election.
Labour called for an immediate ceasefire in February after months of wrangling on its position.