Tory leadership hopefuls ‘already lobbying’ to replace Sunak

Sources say contenders jostling for support amid fears of historic wipeout in election

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Conservative leadership hopefuls are already lobbying for support to take over from Rishi Sunak amid widespread fears the party is heading for a disastrous defeat on 4 July, the Guardian has learned.

With three weeks to go before the general election, candidates and advisers had begun lining up behind their preferred contenders, sources said, with some Tory campaigners complaining they were being inundated with messages from potential leaders.