Liz Truss is only in her fifth week as prime minister, but many doubt whether she can survive the year, let alone lead the British Conservatives to the next general election, due in January 2025, Bloomberg writes.

She has already been forced to cancel her main pledge to cut income tax for the wealthiest, and her officials are now trying to figure out how they can undo other parts of her plan to overhaul Britain's economy, which has caused turmoil in financial markets.

Many politicians in her party say the Truss economic project is over before it has even begun. But whether and how she can be removed so soon after Boris Johnson leaves.

How bad is it?

It's extremely serious. The atmosphere among Conservative MPs is feverish, the demands for a complete change of course are intensifying. But Truss has been calling for years for Britain to be transformed into a small, low-tax state and came to power promising to bring it about. If her MPs can't stomach it, and polls show voters can't either, what's the point of keeping her at 10 Downing Street?

This brings to the forefront the issue of a change in leadership. Some MPs think it's better to abandon Truss as soon as possible before more damage is done, especially to those who are watching the turmoil in the bond markets and the destruction of the Tories' notion of themselves as sound economic management.

Changing leaders is difficult. Even some Conservatives who oppose it believe it would cause even more ridicule among voters. Given the criticism that Tory does not have a mandate for her economic vision, the main fear is that an early general election will inevitably be required to install a new leader.

Opinion polls show that this would lead to an electoral defeat for the Conservatives, Keir Starmer's Labour Party consistently leading in recent polls. Opinion is divided as to whether this means supporting Truss by softening her proposals, or taking their chances with a new leader - and hoping they can delay the general election as long as possible.

Can the Tories get rid of her now?

Yes. Party rules should mean that Truss is theoretically invulnerable for a year. But political realities make things changeable, and the rules can be changed in half a day if enough deputies convince the leadership of the 1922 committee, which oversees leadership issues, to do so.

Although some deputies have said they have written a letter to veteran chairman Graham Brady calling for change, much will depend on how much pressure reaches critical mass. At this point, there are still some conservative lawmakers who are publicly stating that she should be given a chance to prove herself and change the polls.

In addition to a formal vote for her leadership, the resignation of ministers could also lead to her overthrow. This is what happened to Johnson in July, but the chances are slim, especially since Truss has filled her team with political allies.

Who are the main Tory conspirators?

The plot ranges from private conversations between MPs and informal briefings for reporters to public attacks by former major cabinet beasts, including Michael Gove.

To compound the problem, MPs complain about Downing Street's cult-like approach, which listens only to the inner circle. Truss took steps to reach out to her colleagues, but Wednesday's live meeting had unpleasant consequences when some lawmakers accused her of undermining the party's reputation.

A successful conspiracy would likely require a consensus on who would take over, given that Conservative MPs recognize the need to try to prevent the choice from going to rank-and-file members, a process that would take weeks

Could Truss call a general election?

That would be a nuclear - and unlikely - option. The argument for it is that Truss recognizes that she is cornered and cannot implement the economic program she has pursued her entire political career. If the Tory MPs are blocking her, why not roll the dice with a mandate from the voters?

But the Tory party is not ready for an election, and Truss's personal rating in opinion polls is abysmal. Instead of seeking an election, she may decide to push her economic agenda and get her MPs to challenge her. But if she loses, an election or leadership change is likely either way.

Having already appeased them on the income tax, she will try hard not to do the same on other contentious issues. Problems are looming, and a cold winter with high energy bills and skyrocketing interest rates could cost Truss and her Tories even more support.

If she survives into the spring, poor results in local elections will likely lead to a fight for her seat in the Conservative Party.