Rishi Sunak and 15 ministers at risk of losing seat in general election: report

London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may not come up smiling in the general election in 2024, according to new polling data.

The data also show that 15 of his Cabinet ministers are at risk of losing their seats.

Senior Tory figures including Prime Minister Sunak, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and health secretary Steve Barclay are all at risk of defeat at 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.

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 those who have voted consistently with the winning party in recent decades shows that Labour is on course to take all 10.

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.

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.

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.

PTI with minor edits