UK PM Rishi Sunak’s leadership on rocky ground as party rebellion mounts

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — U.K. Prime Minster Rishi Sunak appears a leader on rocky ground as growing disunity from within his Conservative government is giving rise to more radical factions, even as the party gears up for a General Election next year.

The discord Sunak sought to assuage when he assumed leadership of the party last year following a series of Tory psychodramas has resurfaced this week as ministers assembled in Manchester, England, for the annual Conservative Party Conference.

Members of Parliament (MPs), including Liz Truss, Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister, voiced their disapproval of Sunak’s leadership — or perceived lack thereof — while faction leaders have urged donors to defund the party until major reforms are made.

The rebellion comes as the Tories face stiff competition from the opposition Labour Party, which continues to lead in opinion polls, and party pushback promises to dominate Sunak’s leadership in the lead up to the election, likely due this time next year.

Truss, the Ronald Reagan enthusiast who lasted just 44 days in office, stole the show as the conference got underway in earnest Monday, attracting a crowd of hundreds as she admonished Sunak’s policies and again made the case for immediate tax cuts.

The ex-prime minister, whose low-tax agenda led to the implosion of her government last year, retains significant support among party faithfuls — many of whom voted her into power — and at least 60 MPs have now joined her Conservative Growth Group.

The MPs backing Truss’ vision to “make Britain grow again” account for less than a fifth of total elected Conservative MPs, but their number is roughly equivalent to Sunak’s parliamentary majority, posing potential risks to the prime minister’s ability to…