Challenges Mount for Rishi Sunak as Losses Point to Electoral Turmoil
The Tories have been rocked by the worst results in 40 years, but PM pins survival hopes on the party’s earlier Tees Valley victory and eyes West Midlands.Rishi Sunak is nervously awaiting the result of the West Midlands mayoral contest after suffering a series of humiliating setbacks in the local elections.Challenges Mount for Rishi Sunak as Losses Point to Electoral Point Turmoil.
With the worst local election results for the Tories in 40 years, the prime minister’s fate could be tied to whether Tory mayor Andy Street holds on when the votes are counted on Saturday.
Labour insiders think Mr Street will scrape a “frustratingly narrow victory” that could be enough to see off an attempted coup by Tory MPs. They point out that Mr. Street had “campaigned as an independent” and not allowed Mr. Sunak to campaign with him, nor did his electoral literature mention the Conservative Party.
But a senior Labour figure admitted: “It would be better for us if he [Sunak] limps on.”
In a worrying sign for Downing Street, the leader of a right-wing group of MPs has made it clear Mr Sunak will face increasing demands to move even further to the right in areas such as immigration and the culture wars should he cling on.Challenges Mount for Rishi Sunak as Losses Point to Electoral Point Turmoil.
Sir John Hayes
Sir John Hayes, the leader of the Common Sense Group with about 50 MPs, spoke to The Independent. He shared that the situation would have been more severe if the government had not made the decision to film asylum seekers being loaded into vans.
He said, “We need half a dozen more examples of real conservatism.” “If we are to restore faith with those who voted for us in 2019, we need half a dozen more examples of real conservatism.”
The prime minister has faced Labour taking control in his own backyard. Sir Keir Starmer’s party won the mayoral offices in York and North Yorkshire.They seized the East Midlands mayoralty. This region, which had long been a Tory stronghold, had been taken over by Labour during the Red Wall constituencies’ takeover.
In the early hours of Friday, Labor secured a victory in the Blackpool South by-election against the Conservatives. This win came with a record-breaking swing. Separately, several police and crime commissioner posts were taken over by Labour. These posts had previously been held by the Tories.
A ray of hope for Mr. Sunak and his party came to Tees Valley, where it was controversial. Tory mayor Ben Houchen defied the odds and won against his Labour challenger. A 100 percent swing to Labour would erase all Tory parliamentary seats in the region during a general election.
Mr. Sunak went directly to celebrate with Lord Houchen. In his victory speech, Lord Houchen did not mention the prime minister or the Conservative Party. He also forgot to wear a blue rosette on the stage.
Lord Houchen
Lord Houchen expressed his gratitude to voters for supporting his plan during the next four years. Visibly uncomfortable, he welcomed Mr. Sunak for a picture on stage.
By Friday evening, the Tories had lost more than 400 council seats. They were also closing in on more than 500 losses out of 985 seats. Some Tory insiders believed that this benchmark would trigger a vote of no confidence by MPs.
Labour won
Labour won all three new mayoral posts up for grabs this year in the East Midlands, North East, and York and North Yorkshire. The latter covers Mr. Sunak’s own Richmond constituency. For the initial time, the Adur council in West Sussex was governed by Labour.The Tories lost control of Basildon in Essex, a bellwether area.
In Downing Street and Tory headquarters (CCHQ), there is a faint hope that Susan Hall can win an unlikely victory in London. This possibility is due to the low turnout and the unpopularity of Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) extension in London.
However, one senior Tory told The Independent: “This is clutching at straws. If Susan Hall wins, it will be due to Khan’s influence. However, it’s important to acknowledge that she is not going to win.
Although Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the latest results as “seismic,” there are concerns for him, too.
Analysis
Analysis by Sky News suggested that if the vote share at this week’s local election were to be repeated in a general election, then Labour would still fall short of a majority.
Challenges Mount for Rishi Sunak as Losses Point to Electoral Point Turmoil.
Labour also lost control of Oldham council, with campaigns chief Pat McFadden admitting the war in Gaza and Sir Keir’s support for Israel was “a factor” in turning off Muslim voters.
Meanwhile, Conservative MPs considering a move to topple Mr Sunak were holding their counsel until all the results were in. A former cabinet minister spoke with The Independent and stated, “I cannot comment until I know what has transpired in the West Midlands.” “Similarly, I remain silent on the situation in London until I have more information.”
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson supporter, has written a letter to Sir Graham Brady, the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, requesting a vote. She writes in the letter that MPs are frozen and unable to act.
In her suggestion, she urged for the return of Mr. Johnson as Prime Minister. In the event of his return, she advocated for Suella Braverman to join the cabinet as a right-wing member. She also recommended Jenrick and Patel for similar roles.
Reform UK failed to mount
However, another senior MP who has been involved with plotters said: “I think it is over. Rishi will lead us into the next election. The findings were disappointing, but within the expected range.
Reform UK failed to mount a serious challenge in red-wall Lincolnshire, getting 15 percent. In the Blackpool South by-election, they also failed to be a contender. A Tory MP noted these facts.The reform factor may not be as menacing as some people make it out to be, according to my perspective.
Another Johnson ally, Nadine Dorries, claimed it would be “madness” to dump Mr Sunak.
The prime minister is still in office. David Campbell Bannerman, a prominent Brexiteer, is calling for the prime minister’s removal. He is also the chairman of the Conservative Democratic Organization (CDO).
Rishi Sunak is in the bunker with his advisers. This collective group, including Sunak, has little understanding or experience of politics. He is a liability to the party. His lack of political savvy hinders the success of our political campaigns.
The polling situation for the Conservatives is dire, according to Professor Sir John Curtice. The distinguished analyst, Sir John Curtice, confirmed the negative trend the Conservative Party has been experiencing based on the data.
Read more:
Significance of Local Election Results for the General Election