Loyalty was once the glue that held the Tories together. But now they’ve come unstuck | Simon Jenkins

Claims of a leadership bid are ‘bonkers’, say Penny Mordaunt’s allies. But so too is staying silent while the PM stumbles towards an election

There are many good reasons for Rishi Sunak to postpone a general election. All are about reducing his party’s potential loss of seats. There is also an overwhelming reason for calling one now. It is in the national interest.

British government needs an act of cleansing. It needs renewal and a fresh start under a new regime. Every month that start is delayed...