According to a TOI report, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may end up as a backbench MP if his party loses the upcoming general election, with results expected on Friday. However, there is a possibility he might lose his seat as well, which would make him the first sitting Prime Minister to lose both a general election and his seat at the same time.
In the 2019 election, Sunak, who is 44 years old, won the Richmond and Northallerton seat with a substantial majority of 27,210 votes, capturing 63% of the total vote. Historically, no sitting prime minister has ever lost their seat in a UK general election.
Some speculate that Sunak could return to the financial sector and spend more time in California, where he owns a home, no matter what happens in the election. However, Sunak has denied any plans to leave his position as an MP and move to California if he keeps his seat but loses the election. He has promised to continue representing his constituents in Yorkshire. If the Conservatives become the second-largest party, Sunak would serve as the leader of the opposition.
A recent survey conducted by Savanta and Electoral Calculus for the Daily Telegraph indicates that the Conservative Party could be reduced to only 53 seats, which would be their worst performance in modern history. The survey suggests Sunak could lose his constituency, which he has held since 2015. The study also predicts a significant win for Labour, projecting a 382-seat majority, with Labour winning 516 seats in total.
Even if Sunak manages to retain his seat, the Conservative Party will likely hold a leadership election. Potential candidates for the party leadership include Priti Patel, David Cameron, Kemi Badenoch, Boris Johnson, and Suella Braverman. However, Braverman and Patel also face tough battles to keep their seats.
According to Electoral Calculus, three Indian-origin MPs—Gagan Mohindra and Shailesh Vara (both Conservatives) and Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire—are expected to lose their seats. Other prominent Conservatives at risk include Jeremy Hunt, James Cleverly, Liz Truss, and Penny Mordaunt. Pro-India Conservative MPs Bob Blackman and Theresa Villiers, known for their strong support of India in the House of Commons, are also predicted to lose their seats.
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