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Rishi Sunak faced a backlash from some nervous Tories yesterday after he called a shock snap election — despite his party's dire poll ratings.
Rumours have emerged that Conservative MPs are working on a plot to call off the election and oust the Prime Minister by writing letters of no confidence to 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady.
But the rebels will have to act fast to prevent the election before Parliament is dissolved next Thursday.
Many MPs had expected an autumn poll when they hoped the story on the economy and flights to Rwanda would have improved further.
There are claims that Sir Graham has received 'several' more no confidence letters in the PM since talk of a snap election began.
![Rishi Sunak (pictured) faced a backlash from some nervous Tories yesterday after he called the election — despite his party's dire poll ratings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/02/85229237-13449817-image-a-7_1716426539507.jpg)
Rishi Sunak (pictured) faced a backlash from some nervous Tories yesterday after he called the election — despite his party's dire poll ratings
![Rumours have emerged that Conservative MPs are working on a plot to call off the election and oust the Prime Minister by writing letters of no confidence to 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/02/85229141-13449817-image-a-2_1716426328511.jpg)
Rumours have emerged that Conservative MPs are working on a plot to call off the election and oust the Prime Minister by writing letters of no confidence to 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady (pictured)
One former minister said that the announcement yesterday was an 'absolute disaster' but suggested it can still be 'aborted' until Parliament is dissolved on May 30.
They said that Tory MPs who fear losing their seats could write to Sir Graham triggering a leadership ballot, which could stop the poll.
However, it is unclear how that could be achieved with Parliament only sitting until the end of this week.
Another said the the election announcement was 'absolutely madness' and a 'farce'.
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.'
![Rishi Sunak pictured announcing the July 4 General Election outside 10 Downing Street](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/02/85229161-13449817-image-a-1_1716426318373.jpg)
Rishi Sunak pictured announcing the July 4 General Election outside 10 Downing Street
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 have 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.