UK
YouGov polling shows Labour gaining ground in south Essex
By Lewis Berrill@LewisBerrill
Senior Reporter
29th October
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Election predictions - Could south Essex's Tories be in trouble?
THE POLITICAL battle lines have been drawn in south Essex amid talk of a potential general election which could see a number of sitting MPs lose their jobs in Westminster.
The area, long a Tory stronghold, may be set for big changes according to a recent YouGov Pol.
South Essex’s seven constituencies have all been held by Conservative MPs since the 2010 Boundary Commission changes and the abolishment of the constituency of Basildon.
But the area may be set for its first Labour MP in more than a decade if a general election is called.
29th October
Election predictions - Could south Essex's Tories be in trouble?
THE POLITICAL battle lines have been drawn in south Essex amid talk of a potential general election which could see a number of sitting MPs lose their jobs in Westminster.
The area, long a Tory stronghold, may be set for big changes according to a recent YouGov Pol.
South Essex’s seven constituencies have all been held by Conservative MPs since the 2010 Boundary Commission changes and the abolishment of the constituency of Basildon.
But the area may be set for its first Labour MP in more than a decade if a general election is called.
YouGov interviewed over 12,000 voters across the country asking who would make a better PM, Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer.
The results are shocking, with the model showing voters preferred Keir Starmer in 389 constituencies, Rishi Sunak in 127, and voters saying they were “not sure” in 116.
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Just Rayleigh and Wickford and Castle Point remain blue, with Southend West in favour of Keir Starmer (Image: YouGov)
In one of the major shocks, the model predicts Southend West could elect a Labour MP for the first time since the constituency’s creation in 1950.
Southend Labour councillor Matt Dent reckons his party has been presented with its “greatest opportunity in 70 years” to turn the seat red.
“It’s not surprising with what we have seen from the Conservative government from the last few years and especially months,” he said.
“The party and in-fighting have overshadowed the national interest, the economy and living standards are in the toilet, and people have quite simply had enough.”
Mark Francois’s seat in Rayleigh and Wickford and Rebecca Harris’ in Castle Point are the only south Essex seats the model is confident will stay blue.
The rest returned a majority answer of “not sure” with just a couple of percentage points separating Labour and the Tories in Thurrock and Rochford and Southend East.
“If I were one of these Tory MPs, I would be thinking about lining myself up a new job,” Basildon councillor and former UKIP parliamentary candidate Kerry Smith said.
“The constituencies along the Thames Estuary have been Tory for so long, but it looks like they may be losing their grip.”
The results are shocking, with the model showing voters preferred Keir Starmer in 389 constituencies, Rishi Sunak in 127, and voters saying they were “not sure” in 116.
In one of the major shocks, the model predicts Southend West could elect a Labour MP for the first time since the constituency’s creation in 1950.
Southend Labour councillor Matt Dent reckons his party has been presented with its “greatest opportunity in 70 years” to turn the seat red.
“It’s not surprising with what we have seen from the Conservative government from the last few years and especially months,” he said.
“The party and in-fighting have overshadowed the national interest, the economy and living standards are in the toilet, and people have quite simply had enough.”
Mark Francois’s seat in Rayleigh and Wickford and Rebecca Harris’ in Castle Point are the only south Essex seats the model is confident will stay blue.
The rest returned a majority answer of “not sure” with just a couple of percentage points separating Labour and the Tories in Thurrock and Rochford and Southend East.
“If I were one of these Tory MPs, I would be thinking about lining myself up a new job,” Basildon councillor and former UKIP parliamentary candidate Kerry Smith said.
“The constituencies along the Thames Estuary have been Tory for so long, but it looks like they may be losing their grip.”
Charlie Sansom, former chairman of South Basildon Conservatives, says he is sceptical of the results, adding that for many people in Essex “voting blue overrides anything else”.
“However, the problem the Tories may have is that many people are annoyed that MPs have coronated a new leader, rather than the electorate voting for one,” he said.
Mr Sansom, who quit the party last year, added: “I can see Thurrock going red in the next election, considering the socio-economic background of the area and the drop-off of the Brexit effect.”
“However, the problem the Tories may have is that many people are annoyed that MPs have coronated a new leader, rather than the electorate voting for one,” he said.
Mr Sansom, who quit the party last year, added: “I can see Thurrock going red in the next election, considering the socio-economic background of the area and the drop-off of the Brexit effect.”
LABOUR IS RED
Just Rayleigh and Wickford and Castle Point remain blue, with Southend West in favour of Keir Starmer (Image: YouGov)
The poll results come as new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to fix the “mistakes” of Liz Truss’s leadership.
The freshly appointed Conservative leader warned the UK is facing a “profound economic crisis” in his first speech after being asked to form a Government by the King.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday morning, Mr Sunak, 42, was critical of his predecessor, whose 49 days in office made her the shortest-lasting PM in history.
“Some mistakes were made. Not born of ill will or bad intentions – quite the opposite in fact. But mistakes nonetheless,” he said.
“I’ve been elected as leader of my party and your Prime Minister in part to fix them – and that work begins immediately.”
The freshly appointed Conservative leader warned the UK is facing a “profound economic crisis” in his first speech after being asked to form a Government by the King.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday morning, Mr Sunak, 42, was critical of his predecessor, whose 49 days in office made her the shortest-lasting PM in history.
“Some mistakes were made. Not born of ill will or bad intentions – quite the opposite in fact. But mistakes nonetheless,” he said.
“I’ve been elected as leader of my party and your Prime Minister in part to fix them – and that work begins immediately.”
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