Operation Stop Penny: MPs fear Commons Leader will seize Tory crown if Rishi is trounced in Thursday's local election polls

A 'stop Penny Mordaunt' campaign is under way among Tory MPs amid predictions she could be crowned party leader unopposed if Rishi Sunak is forced out by a local election meltdown this week.

Even MPs loyal to the Prime Minister fear he will be in trouble if the party suffers catastrophic defeats in crucial mayoral and local council polls on Thursday.

They warn that Mr Sunak cannot afford to lose the key North East Red Wall contest, where Tees Valley Tory mayor Lord Houchen is facing a strong Labour challenge.

The scale of potential Tory losses has led some in the party to hail Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt as the only viable 'unity candidate'.

One Red Wall MP claimed Ms Mordaunt – famous for her role in holding the ceremonial Sword of State at last year's coronation of King Charles – was the only potential rival with the 'charisma to move the dial' if the PM went.

But last night rival MPs warned against her succeeding Mr Sunak – one ex-minister said it would be 'insanity' to replace a 'failing leader with someone whose only apparent contribution to politics was holding a sword at a real coronation'. 

Another insisted the party would never agree to the appointment of someone 'as woke as Penny', because of her views on transgender rights.

Others talked up the chances of potential rivals such as ex-Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.

The Tories are forecast to lose as many as 500 council seats in the elections, and as well as being under pressure in two key mayoral battles including Tees Valley and in the West Midlands, with Tory incumbent Andy Street bidding for his third term.

Many Tories are already bracing themselves for defeat in London, where sitting Labour mayor Sadiq Khan is expected to be re-elected.

There are fears that the results could be so grim that Tory MPs trigger a vote of no confidence in Mr Sunak's leadership.

Over the weekend there were reports the PM could pre-empt that by announcing a snap General Election tomorrow, although No10 sources played down the idea.

And even many MPs critical of Mr Sunak say the idea of yet another change of leader is absurd, and that voters are weary of 'that particular psycho-drama'.

One serving Cabinet minister told this paper that anyone trying to unseat the PM before the General Election expected this autumn should 'drink their own poison'.

Ms Mordaunt faces claims from fellow Tory MPs that of all the potential leadership contenders, she is the 'most overt'. One MP added: 'She's been meeting everyone trying to persuade them.'

However, friends of the Commons Leader dismissed reports she was manoeuvring for the leadership as nonsense.

One said: 'Penny is focused on what matters – doing her job.'