Triple by-election LIVE: Liberal Democrats say they've 'gone home' as Labor targets Boris Johnson's former seat

Defeat at the polls tonight would increase Tory fears over Sunak ahead of general election
Defeats at the polls tonight would heighten Tory fears that Rishi Sunak will struggle to lead them to another majority in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister prepared MPs at a committee meeting of 1922 Conservative backbenchers last night that they faced an 'uphill battle' in what were seen as safe seats for his party.

He told them ruling parties rarely win by-elections, but urged MPs to unite in the face of any defeat as he pledged to 'throw it all in' to win the next general election.

Tory losses in all vacant ridings would be the first time in 55 years that a government has been defeated in three by-elections on the same day.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Sunak reportedly told his MPs: 'In the coming months, I will be explaining more about what I would do if I had a full term.

"I have recently been described as a modern curator in my own right and you will see that in the program I present."

Mr. Sunak pledged to show the public "who is really on their side", adding, "And that's what will propel us to victory."

He was aware of the battle he would face if voters rejected the Tory candidates outright, but urged MPs to unite ahead of a general election due next year.

"When we come back in September, we will all have a choice to make. Are we going to unite and pull out all the stops to win the next election or not? I have made my choice, I totally agree with you to win," Sunak said at the meeting.

"I promise you we can do it, but we can only do it together as one team."

Politics Jul 21, 2023 0 37 Add to Reading List

Defeat at the polls tonight would increase Tory fears over Sunak ahead of general election

Defeats at the polls tonight would heighten Tory fears that Rishi Sunak will struggle to lead them to another majority in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister prepared MPs at a committee meeting of 1922 Conservative backbenchers last night that they faced an 'uphill battle' in what were seen as safe seats for his party.

He told them ruling parties rarely win by-elections, but urged MPs to unite in the face of any defeat as he pledged to 'throw it all in' to win the next general election.

Tory losses in all vacant ridings would be the first time in 55 years that a government has been defeated in three by-elections on the same day.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Sunak reportedly told his MPs: 'In the coming months, I will be explaining more about what I would do if I had a full term.

"I have recently been described as a modern curator in my own right and you will see that in the program I present."

Mr. Sunak pledged to show the public "who is really on their side", adding, "And that's what will propel us to victory."

He was aware of the battle he would face if voters rejected the Tory candidates outright, but urged MPs to unite ahead of a general election due next year.

"When we come back in September, we will all have a choice to make. Are we going to unite and pull out all the stops to win the next election or not? I have made my choice, I totally agree with you to win," Sunak said at the meeting.

"I promise you we can do it, but we can only do it together as one team."