Conservative Party Faces Historic Defeat as Rishi Sunak Faces Criticism and Internal Rebellion

The Conservative Party in the UK has been facing mounting pressure for months, with a sense of resignation among its members after almost 14 years in power. A recent survey commissioned by the Best for Britain organization from Survation predicts a historic victory for the Labor opposition and a significant defeat for Rishi Sunak. Keir Starmer is projected to achieve a 19% advantage and secure a majority of 468 deputies, compared to the Conservatives’ expected 98 seats.

The upcoming municipal elections on May 2 in England, coupled with the surge of Reform UK, led by Richard Tice, complicate matters for Sunak. If Reform UK candidates withdraw from certain constituencies where the battle against the left is closer, the conservatives could exceed 150 seats and potentially overcome the predicted defeat. However, internal rumblings within the Conservative Party against Sunak’s leadership have been growing, with many calling for a change before it’s too late. The mechanism to overthrow a conservative leader requires 53 “letters of withdrawal of confidence” from deputies, representing 15% of the total figure. With mounting criticism against the current prime minister, a new internal rebellion within the party seems increasingly likely.

Former minister David Gauke has been among those leading calls for the Conservative Party to return to a moderate and centrist path, criticizing Sunak’s leadership. However, despite the growing discontent within the party, replacing Sunak at this point might only worsen the situation. As the political landscape in the UK continues to shift,