Brexiteers and “red wall” MPs believe that former Home Secretary Priti could end divisions, and is a potential future leader. They have been left reeling by Rishi Sunak’s decision to sack former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and bring in former Prime Minister David Cameron – who led the Remain campaign in the 2016 EU referendum – as Foreign Secretary.
And there is little sign of public regret at Ms Braverman’s departure, with exclusive WeThink polling showing only 17 per cent think it was a “big mistake”.
That is outstripped by the 48 per cent saying it was a “positive move”.
By contrast, Dame Priti has so far stayed out of battles for the top job and recent Tory in-fighting.
One senior figure on the Right said: “History tells us if you stand and lose, you are very unlikely to win if you try again.” Right-wing MPs believe they are too divided after the creation of a range of groups at Westminster.
These include the Common Sense Group chaired by former Transport Minister Sir John Hayes, a close ally of Mrs Braverman; the New Conservatives, made up largely of red wall MPs; and the Conservative Growth Group, whose members include former PM Liz
Truss.
The lack of a clear figurehead is seen as an obstacle and Dame Priti is viewed as the most likely candidate for the top job.
Meanwhile, Mrs Braverman has doubled-down on her criticism of Rishi Sunak, saying he had displayed a lack of “moral leadership” by not doing more to confront public displays of anti-Semitism.
In an interview, she described his statements as “tepid and timid”.
Arguing the pro-Palestinian protests had presented a “real opportunity for the Prime Minister to demonstrate some moral leadership”, the former Home Secretary said this was “wholly lacking”.