RISHI Sunak is braced for a double by-election beating this Thursday, with the Tories on course to lose Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire.
After a final weekend of campaigning, even the PM’s most loyal backers have branded both seats “tough” and “dire”.
PALiberal Democrat local candidate Emma Holland-Lindsay and deputy leader Daisy Cooper campaign in Woburn, Bedfordshire, ahead of the Mid Bedfordshire by-election on Thursday[/caption]
AlamyRishi Sunak is bracing for a double by-election beating on Thursday[/caption]
There’s concern that traditional Tory voters “just won’t turnout”.
And party strategists are downbeat at the PM’s failure to bag a post-conference poll bounce.
Hopes of holding on to Mid-Beds were dashed as the Lib Dems pulled off from attacking Labour earlier this month, opting for Tory votes instead.
It would be the biggest ever majority overturned if Labour won the seat, with Tamworth also being chalked up as a heavy loss for the PM.
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But some MPs are clinging to the hope that hostility on the doorstep is not as bad as the polls suggest.
One Tory MP told The Sun: It seems fine to be honest – I reckon we will win Mid Beds.
“Tamworth is more of a challenge.
“People just won’t turn out as opposed to switching sides.”
There’s also hope Tory NIMBYism and vows to protect the green belt will stop tempted switchers.
A senior party source said: “The Conservatives commitment to protecting the green belt has really cut through in Mid Beds with locally-led housing decisions the number one issue on the doorstep.
“The Labour candidate is captive to his party’s centralised housing policy which is completely out of touch with local voters in Mid Beds.”
Meanwhile, cheery Labour MPs say they are “living the dream” on the campaign trail.
A shadow minister told The Sun: “Off the back of Labour conference there’s a good feeling, albeit a realisation that it’s a very tall ask for both seats.”
A Labour source said: “We know that winning in these places is a tough ask. They are safe Tory seats with massive majorities to overturn.
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“But we’re on the pitch, which shows how much progress we’ve made since 2019.
“Everyone is working hard to make history by winning.”
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