If Tory plotters thought they’d found a way to get rid of Sunak, it’s about to backfire

An ‘election wipeout’ poll commissioned by the PM’s enemies is intended to destabilise him as he faces a revolt over the Rwanda bill, writes John Rentoul – but it won’t work

The timing of this expensive poll would seem to be aimed at the Rwanda bill that will be debated in the Commons tomorrow and Wednesday (PA)

They want him out, and they don’t care how much damage they do to the Conservative Party in the attempt. An unholy alliance of The Daily Telegraph, David Frost and unnamed “donors” are plotting to engineer a challenge to Rishi Sunak’s leadership.

The front page of today’s Telegraph is devoted to a YouGov poll that models current voting intentions in every constituency, which suggests that the Tories are heading for a “1997-style wipeout” and that 11 cabinet ministers will lose their seats.

According to theTelegraph, “the poll was commissioned by a group of Conservative donors called the ’Conservative Britain Alliance’ and carried out by YouGov, working with Lord Frost”. Frost has an opinion article on the newspaper’s front page headlined “Stunningly awful poll must shake Sunak out of his complacency”.