Rishi Sunak ‘Could Head Straight to US’ if he Loses Battle For UK PM: Daily Mail

LONDON, (IANS) – Speculation is mounting about Rishi Sunak’s future as another poll showed Liz Truss with an unassailable lead among Tory members in the race for UK Prime Minister, the media reported.

Some MPs are predicting that the former chancellor will opt to leave Parliament if he loses the battle for Prime Minister, although allies insist, he is ‘not going anywhere’, Daily Mail reported.

Senior Conservatives believe Sunak has ‘burned his boats’ during the contest and is unlikely to be offered a job he could accept, the report said.

Research by YouGov found Truss is backed by 66 percent of party members, who are deciding the successor to Boris Johnson.

Sunak has support from 34 percent, excluding those who are not sure. Although the 32-point advantage is slightly smaller than was found a fortnight ago, just 13 percent are now undecided and nearly six in 10 have already voted.

The survey also found widespread regret that Boris Johnson is going — with 55 percent saying it was wrong to force him to quit.

One former minister said the tone from the Sunak campaign had been ‘a lot more personal’ recently, and there was no chance of him serving in a Truss government.

“He’s got plenty of opportunities should he be inclined to look elsewhere for gainful employment. I should have thought that is what he will do,” he told the paper.

They pointed out that Sunak has long-standing links to the US and Silicon Valley, having held a coveted green card.

Another senior MP said Sunak could look for a career elsewhere, saying: ‘He’s got huge options.’