The mid-term crash in support for the Conservatives in the 57 seats Boris Johnson gained in 2019 has led to panic among MPs who fear that they are doomed to sit in the Commons for only one term.
The results of today's Mail on Sunday poll are likely to fan the frenzy of bitching and back- stabbing that dominates messaging sites used by the MPs as they speculate about which of them would be most likely to lose if an Election were held tomorrow – and debate whether to submit letters of no-confidence in the Prime Minister.
Our Deltapoll survey backs up anecdotal evidence from the MPs – dominated by the so-called Red Wallers who seized former Labour strongholds – that Mr Johnson has become a drag on their fortunes.
One told this newspaper: 'I keep hearing the same line on the doorstep – 'I'd support you if you got rid of your boss'.'
When asked if Mr Johnson was 'doing well', only 34 per cent of voters in the seats agree, while 62 per cent disagree, a net rating of minus 28. By comparison, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer scores minus 6.
Sir Keir wins the 'best Prime Minister' rating, on 38 per cent, while Mr Johnson gets 33 per cent. The Labour double act of Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also preferred to Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, by 40 per cent to 33 per cent.
The rows over claims that parties were held in Downing Street in breach of Covid rules appear to have 'cut through' to voters in the critical seats, with Mr Johnson personally identified with public anger over the issue.
Only 16 per cent of voters in the seats think Mr Johnson obeyed the rules, while 72 per cent think he did not – and 65 per cent think he should resign if the Cabinet Office's investigation into the events during lockdown concludes that he broke the rules.
The poll found that nearly six in ten of swing voters – 58 per cent – do not expect Mr Johnson to be Prime Minister this time next year. The survey also backs claims by new Tory MPs that the rising cost of living, driven by higher energy and fuel bills, is hammering support for the Conservatives in these swing seats.
Forty per cent say their household finances are in a worse state since Mr Johnson became PM, with only 12 per cent better off. More ominously for the party, 41 per cent think they will deteriorate further this year.
The poll found that nearly six in ten of swing voters – 58 per cent – do not expect Mr Johnson to be Prime Minister this time next year. The survey also backs claims by new Tory MPs that the rising cost of living, driven by higher energy and fuel bills, is hammering support for the Conservatives in these swing seats
