Rishi Sunak and 15 ministers may lose their seats in 2024: new poll

British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and 15 of his Cabinet ministers are at risk of losing their seats in a general election wipeout in 2024, according to a media report citing new polling data.

Senior Tory figures including Prime Minister Sunak, Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, and health secretary Steve Barclay are all at risk of defeat in the election expected in 2024, according to the polling data shared with The Independent newspapers. Foreign secretary James Cleverly, defence secretary Ben Wallace, business secretary Grant Shapps, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, and environment secretary Therese Coffey could also lose their seats, according to the Focaldata polling for Best for Britain.

Also read: Rishi Sunak outlasts Liz Truss at Downing Street, but it’s a rough sail

Only five Cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt, Indian-origin Suella Braverman, Michael Gove, Nadhim Zawawi, and Kemi Badenoch would cling on after the 2024 election, according to the poll.

A new analysis shared with The Independent on 10 crucial bellwether seats by those who have voted consistently with the winning party in recent decades shows that Labour is on course to take all 10.

Uncertain voters may still make the election a close call

Sunak’s Cabinet deserves nothing short of a wipeout, said Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, a group campaigning for internationalist values and for closer ties with the EU. The high proportion of uncertain voters still gives the Tories a chance of making the election a close call, said Smith. Despite the dire polling for Sunak’s party, analysis by Best for Britain has revealed that Labour’s mammoth lead over the Tories could be more fragile than previously thought.

Also read: UK’s problems won’t go away in 2023, warns PM Rishi Sunak in New Year message

Sunak, 42, is struggling to revive Tory fortunes at the start of 2023, with most recent polls giving Labour leads of around 20 points. Polling experts said a slight poll bounce after Sunak took over from Liz Truss has now flatlined, the report said.

Earlier this week, Sunak tried to relaunch his premiership by offering five promises to turn around the economy, cut NHS waiting lists, and stop the small boats by the election in 2024.

Boris Johnson’s supporters may push for his return

But the latest MRP poll findings raise questions about Sunak’s leadership ahead of his first real electoral test at the local elections in May. Some within the Tory party believe a drubbing could see a push for former premier, Boris Johnson, to return.

A grassroots Tory group made up of Johnson’s allies is set to launch a Momentum-style campaign to hand members full power in the selection of candidates.

Many of Johnson’s supporters blame Sunak’s resignation in July last year for sparking the downfall of his government.