Gathering of Tory clans urges Rishi to 'tack right' for victory

‘We work with the Government but are a critical friend when necessary’

-  Sam Lister

RISHI Sunak must return the Tory party to its traditional values if it is to have any hope of winning the next general election, argue united groups of right-wing MPs.

Grandees are linking up with Red Wall MPs in a "gathering of the clans" at next week's party conference to lay out a list of "robust proposals" that will give the PM a fighting chance at the ballot box next year.

Demands include pulling Britain out of the European human rights treaty so the Government can finally stop the boats. Leading Brexiteers, such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith and influential newer MPs such as Miriam Cates, will urge Mr Sunak at next week's annual rally to be radical and "speak the language" of working people.

A source said: "This is a gathering of the clans. The liberal threat in traditional seats is nonsense.

"We need to tack to the right if we are going to win. This is about saving the soul of the party."

The PM heads to Manchester next Sunday for his first conference as UK leader hoping for a smoother ride than predecessor Liz Truss.

Her premiership was badly derailed when in-fighting forced a chaotic late-night U-turn over tax policy. She quit a fortnight later.

But powerful groups on the right of the party will put pressure on Mr Sunak to "advance an authentically Conservative message".

The Common Sense Group and its sister arm New Conservatives which is made up of newer intake MPs are linking up with the European Research Group, which was instrumental in fighting for a true Brexit after the referendum.