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Rishi Sunak said the result of the general election was not “foregone conclusion” though disastrous results of the local elections and the Tories are struggling to close the gap with Labor in the polls.
The prime minister said he was “absolutely determined to fight” ahead of election day to show the government is changing people’s lives on issues including the economy and migration.
Although Tory conspirators warned that a poor set of local results could be a moment of peak danger for Sunak, Tory rebels laid down their arms after admitting they had not convinced enough MPs to join them to force a vote on confidence in his leadership.
Still, many of Sunak’s MPs are down about the party’s chances of retaining power in a general election expected this fall, despite government attempts to spin local results as showing parliament is most likely.
During a visit to a community center in north London on Sunday, Sunak doubled down on his theory that no single party would have a majority after the election – the first time he admitted the Tories might not win outright.
“The independent analysis shows that, although it was of course a disappointing weekend for us, the outcome of the next general election is not a foregone conclusion and indeed … the situation is closer than many people say or indeed some of the opinion polls predict.”
He added: “That’s why I’m absolutely determined to fight incredibly hard for what I believe in and for the future country I want to build and that’s what I’m going to do. I am more determined than ever to demonstrate to the country that we are making progress in the areas that matter to them, and we will make it for them.”
Sunak avoided questions about Tory MPs urging it to move to the right to win back voters after his former home secretary Suella Braverman said his “plan is not working” and he must change course or the party faces extinction at the polls.
“What unites all members of our party, MPs and not only, are our values Conservatives and what type of country we want to build,” the prime minister said.
This week, Sunak will try to get back on the front foot, highlighting a series of economic announcements, including that the UK is expected to emerge from recession, which he hopes will show that the economy is finally turning a corner.
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