Senior Tories say party seems to be giving up after byelection defeats

Sunak appears safe but divisions widening on strategy, as MP bemoans lack of support in Tamworth

Senior Conservatives have dismissed the idea of any attempt to unseat Rishi Sunak, even after two disastrous byelection defeats, but warned that the prime minister might instead be facing the equally grim prospect of a party on the verge of giving up.

One Tory MP who campaigned in Tamworth, where the Conservatives lost to Labour by just 1,300 votes, said they were dismayed at the lack of top-level support, with one cabinet minister calling off a campaign trip the day they were meant to arrive.