A defeated Rishi Sunak should go, but my advice is: not too quickly | Martin Kettle

What our politics and government need is a restoration of continuity and stability – not a premature resignation

The Conservative party needs another leadership election right now like it needs a hole in the head. Most observers agree about this. Even Jacob Rees-Mogg accepts that four Tory leaders in one parliament would be more than the country could tolerate. This side of the general election, the die is cast. After the election is another matter.

So far, so fairly obvious. But here’s a thought. If Rishi Sunak leads the Tories to defeat this autumn, as most of his MPs now suspect will happen, he should not then resign immediately. Instead, Sunak should stay on as opposition leader. British politics doesn’t need a premature pre-election leadership contest of the sort that was again floated this week. But it doesn’t need a premature post-election contest either. And nor, in particular, does the Conservative party.

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