Rishi Sunak has been told by Trevor Phillips that the Tories are “going to get a drubbing” at Thursday’s local elections.
The Sky News presenter delivered the stark warning as he challenged the prime minister to either quit or call a general election for July.
The pair clashed as rebel Conservative MPs ponder whether to try to oust the PM before the country goes to the polls.
Experts predict that the Tories will lose up to 500 council seats on Thursday, while the futures of high-profile mayors Ben Houchen and Andy Street hang in the balance.
Phillips told Sunak: “You are going to get a drubbing at the local elections.
“How many seats do you have to lose before you accept that the people have lost confidence in you? And it’s time either for you to stand down or to call a general election.”
In response, the PM repeatedly refused to rule out a July general election.
“When it comes to a general election, I’ve been very clear about that multiple times,” he said.
In January, Sunak said his “working assumption” was that it would take place in the second half of the year.
Phillips said: “Second half of this year could be July.”
The PM replied: “I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said, I’ve been very clear about that.”
The presenter told him: “I just need to know when to book my holidays. July is possible?”
But Sunak said: “Actually, Trevor, it’s more important than your holiday or anyone’s holiday. I’ve got a job to do which is delivering for the country.”