TORIES EYE A MAY VOTE

MPS call for early election in bid to limp on with PM

- MIKEY SMITH

TORY MPs are eyeing up a May election to "stop the bleeding" and ensure embattled Rishi Sunak can limp as far as the campaign without being ousted.

Sources say Conservative HQ has stepped up online attacks on Labour to boost MPs reeling from by-election drubbings and polls suggesting the party will be "obliterated".

Meanwhile, it is claimed a senior Tory warned the PM in December that a flurry of letters of no-confidence had been sent in, and urged Mr Sunak to "get out and talk to people".

No 10 denies that such a call took place but Mr Sunak did mount a charm offensive with MPs in December.