Beluzia

[Intruder Emerald]

Conservative unease grows over Rounds' leadership

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An unnamed Conservative member of the Quaiyl has told the Telegraph there are "serious questions" over Julius Rounds’ leadership of the Conservatives after polling has shown they are struggling to pick up any momentum with voters.

The unnamed source was elected a member of the Quaiyl for the Conservatives in August last year alongside Rounds and has said to the Telegraph that if the fortunes of the party don’t change soon then some members may publicly voice their concerns. The Conservatives won just 9 seats at the last election, which Rounds has defended as the first step of a new party. However, national opinion polling is showing that the party is struggling to gain more than approximately 3% of the vote nationally.

The unnamed Conservative MP told the Telegraph, "We all want Julius to succeed and no one is questioning his commitment to the party or the people of Beluzia, but at some point we need to start seeing evidence that our message is reaching the voters".

Rounds, while visiting a police station in the capital today, was questioned on the disappointing polling. Rounds said it was still early days and said that while he understands everyone’s desire for success, it will be a slow process and urged the party to be patient. Rounds also pointed out the “positive legislation” the Conservatives are proposing in the Quaiyl.

The Conservative National Board has recently published its rules on leadership challenges. One of these rules stops the party leader being challenged within their first 12 months in office, meaning Rounds is safe in his position until at least June 5732. After then, a vote of no confidence in his leadership can be triggered if 15% of Conservative MPs submit a letter of no confidence. With the party only holding 9 seats currently, it would only require 2 MPs to submit a letter of no confidence to the Conservative National Board. It is also interesting to note that party rules would allow Rounds to run in any subsequent leadership contest following a vote of no confidence in him.

For the moment, Rounds appears secure in his position but there are murmurings and rumours within the party of disquiet and Rounds will be fully aware that if his polling does not improve come June, then his position may become more tenuous and he could be vulnerable to a vote of no confidence.