11 July 2023 , 21:30
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Next week’s crunch by-elections will be “difficult” for the Tories, Rishi Sunak has admitted.
The Tories face potential defeats in three polls in Uxbridge and South Ruislip; Selby and Ainsty; and Somerton and Frome next Thursday.
A hat-trick of humiliating losses would unleash a fresh round of party infighting, with rebel Tories piling pressure on the Prime Minister to change course in the run-up to a general election, widely expected in 2024.
Speaking as he flew to a NATO summit in Lithuanian capital Vilnius, the PM said: “Mid-term by-elections for incumbent governments are always difficult and that’s not news to anybody.
“Clearly the circumstances for these by-elections are obviously challenging.”
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Mr Sunak hit the campaign trail in Selby, North Yorks, last weekend in a desperate bid to drum up support.
That election was triggered by the resignation of former Foreign Officer Minister Nigel Adams, a close ally of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who quit as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in West London last month.
Mr Sunak said: “When I was out and about in Selby there was great energy and enthusiasm from our volunteers and our members.
“I had a great time campaigning.”
He added: “The message I heard loud and clear from people is, ‘Just focus on the things that matter to them and make a difference on them’.”