Rishi Sunak ‘Genuinely’ Fearful Of Losing His Seat: Report

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told members of his inner circle that he is concerned about losing his constituency at the general election on Thursday, a report by the Guardian said. The UK Prime Minister Sunak, according to the UK-based newspaper, confided to people in his inner circle that he is ‘fearful’ of losing his seat.

Sunak told people close to him that he thinks the vote in Richmond and Northallerton was too close to call. Sunak won the Richmond seat with a majority of more than 27,000 and 63% of the vote.

If Sunak were to lose his seat, he would be the first incumbent UK PM to lose his seat.

According to the Institute for Government, no incumbent prime minister has ever lost their seat. Since 1974, only 12 serving cabinet ministers have lost their seats.

“He is genuinely fearful of a defeat in Richmond: the risk that it could be tight has hit him hard. He’s rattled – he can’t quite believe it’s coming so close,” the Guardian quoted one of the members of his close circle as saying.

However, one member of his close circle flatly denied the development. “The PM is confident he will hold his seat,” the unnamed confidant of Sunak was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Another member of Sunak’s close circle said they were amazed to see the UK PM carrying on despite ‘so much friendly fire’, referring to his detractors within his own party.

Sunak ally Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, said Wednesday the electorate would “regret” handing Labour “untrammelled” power without an effective Tory opposition.

He also told Times Radio that Labour victory will be the ‘largest landslide’ the UK has ever seen.

Polls have shown mixed results, with many indicating that Sunak will likely keep his seat even if Labour wins decisively across the country. However, a study by Savanta and Electoral Calculus for the Telegraph suggested that he might lose it.

According to the Guardian, Sunak is considering a return to the financial services industry, regardless of whether he remains an MP. A former colleague has offered him office space in Mayfair, London.

He has also considered spending more time in California, where he owns a home, though he has no immediate plans to move there permanently, the newspaper said.

A person familiar with the developments denied the rumour and said that Sunak has “no interest” in returning to financial services and intends to stay in Yorkshire “come what may”.