The Conservatives are set to lose 1,000 seats in local elections, says party chairman

Cabinet Secretary Greg Hands made the startling admission three weeks before voters head to the polls in ballots widely believed to kick preservatives

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak braces for heavy losses on May 4 (

Image: PA)

The Conservatives are set to lose 1,000 councilors in next month's local elections, the party's own chairman claimed today.

Cabinet Minister Greg Hands has been desperate to manage expectations as Election Day on May 4 approaches, with Labor set to make big gains at the expense of the Tories.

Analysts believe the Conservatives could see hundreds of seats stripped from them in polls across the country as the cost of living crisis and a wave of public sector strikes rock the country.

“Independents expect the Tories to lose over 1,000 seats and Labor to make big gains,” party chairman Greg Hands told Sophy Ridge On Sunday on Sky News.

Chairman of the Conservative Party, Greg Hands (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

"These are the independent predictions of the most credible academic sources - that the Conservatives stand to lose 1,000 seats." But he added: "I campaign very hard, we have brilliant advisers, excellent candidates there."

Senior party officials often downplay their chances of winning or keeping seats in local polls. So if the results turn out dismal but still not as bad as initially feared, they can try to trumpet a success.

Party leaders also play games of "expectation management" so their traditional constituents don't become complacent.

However, recent polls suggest the Tories could be hammered in local elections, with high inflation and economic turmoil weighing on family budgets and the party continuing to pay the price for the political chaos unleashed by the mandate of 49 days from former Prime Minister Liz Truss. and the scandalous reign of Boris Johnson.

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