Boris Johnson's top adviser gives brutal assessment of Tory election chances

28 February 2024 , 11:27

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Boris Johnson's former aide Lee Cain raised doubts about RIshi Sunak's election chances (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

One of Boris Johnson’s former advisers has warned there is little Rishi Sunak can do to avoid getting booted out of Downing Street at the election.

Lee Cain, who worked as No10 Director of Communications, said the Conservatives are in for a “pretty heavy defeat”. The PR guru who now runs his own firm Charlesbye Strategy said the PM had failed to improve a tricky situation.

Asked if Mr Sunak would lose his party’s seats in the so-called Red Wall, he told Times Radio: "I think the problem for the Tory Party is far bigger than a particular demographic. If anyone who sat in as many focus groups and such as I have over the last year or so, will tell you that the country just wants change.

“I think, Rishi Sunak inherited a very difficult, difficult task after the sort of Liz Truss era and the end of Boris's era. But he certainly hasn't improved the situation. And I think fundamentally the Tory Party is in for a pretty heavy defeat at the next election. And at this point I don't think there's a huge amount that can be done to turn the tide, so I would expect a pretty large Labour majority."

Mr Cain said he believed it would be unlikely that Mr Johnson could beat Keir Starmer. "Boris is undoubtedly a formidable campaigner, but I think if you're looking to lead your party into an election, you first have to remain in office,” he said. "Character is destiny, I think sometimes. And I think, I mean, Boris will probably admit himself, he probably let himself down in some areas. But he's an incredibly talented politician, a great campaigner, and I'm sure he's still got plenty more to offer."

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The latest polling shows Mr Starmer remains more popular with the public than Mr Sunak and continues to be seen as having a better understanding of the problems facing the country. The survey by Ipsos shows 30% of voters view the Labour leader favourably, a two-point increase since January, while his unfavourable rating remained unchanged at 41%.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's favourability has dropped four points to 20% and 54% see him unfavourably.When asked about various character traits, Sir Keir Starmer was well ahead of the Prime Minister on understanding the problems facing Britain, with 47% saying this is the case for the leader of the Opposition and 27% saying the same for Rishi Sunak.

Mr Starmer also maintained similar leads over the Prime Minister when voters were asked who is in touch with ordinary people, who has a plan to improve the country, and also when they were questioned on leadership qualities.

John Stevens