UK opinion polls: Tories facing a WIPEOUT at next general election

The Tories could be heading for such a walloping at the next election that they might only be the third largest party in the Commons, a shock poll-of-polls suggests today.

Liz Truss‘s current governing party could be left with a rump of just 48 seats if the country went to the polls tomorrow, handing Labour a potential majority of 364.

In an astonishing reversal for the party that has been in power for 12 years, the scenario mapped out by Electoral Calculus suggests Nicola Sturgeon‘s Scottish National Party would form the official opposition, with 52 of the 59 seats north of the border.

The website based its findings on opinion polls between October 5 and October 14 that sampled 11,358 people across the UK.

Even in the best-case scenario, the Conservatives are left with fewer than 200 seats. 

It came amid reports that Labour frontbenchers are taking lessons in how to run a government. 

Liz Truss’s current governing party could be left with a rump of just 48 seats if the country went to the polls tomorrow, handing Labour a potential majority of 364

In an astonishing reversal for the party that has been in power for 12 years, the scenario mapped out by Electoral Calculus suggests Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party would form the official opposition, with 52 of the 59 seats north of the border

It came amid reports that Labour frontbenchers are taking lessons in how to run a government

The Times reported that the Institute for Government (IfG) think-tank was running 90-minute sessions for the opposition because so few of Sir Keir Starmer’s team were MPs when Labour was last in power. 

They are said to be covering the role of cabinet ministers, how to run the transition after an election, and ‘scrutiny and spending’.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has warned her colleagues they must support Miss Truss or bring back her predecessor Boris Johnson to avoid a general election.

She tweeted: ‘There is no unity candidate. No one has enough support.

‘Only one MP has a mandate from party members and from the British public – a mandate with an 80 seat majority. @BorisJohnson

‘The choices are simple – back Liz, if not bring back Boris or face a GE within weeks.’

It came as Jeremy Hunt took a wrecking ball to ‘lame duck’ Miss Truss’s economic policies today in a desperate bid to calm the markets – as Tories warn she must be gone in days.

The new Chancellor said he was propping up market ‘confidence’ with an extraordinary overhaul of the disastrous mini-Budget two weeks ahead of schedule, and barely three days after he was parachuted into the job.

He ‘indefinitely’ ditched plans to knock 1p off the basic rate of tax, one of the PM’s flagship measures, VAT exemptions for tourists and the freeze on alcohol duty.

In a worrying sign for struggling families, the cap on energy bills also fell victim of the spending drive. 

Rather than lasting two years it will be reviewed in April and replaced with ‘targeted’ help for the poorest.

Only the stamp duty reductions and cut to national insurance are safe – with the former already in force and legislation for the latter all-but through Parliament. 

Mr Hunt warned of ‘more difficult decisions’ to come ‘on both tax and spending’ as ministers scramble to fill a £72billion hole in the public finances, after Kwasi Kwarteng’s fiscal package sparked a complete meltdown. The pound spiked over $1.13 on the move.

Mr Hunt said: ‘We will reverse almost all the tax measures announced in the growth plan three weeks ago that have not started parliamentary legislation.’

He added: ‘This government will take whatever tough decisions are necessary.’

Despite jettisoning her closest ally, along with her £18billion commitment to lower corporation tax on Friday and now the rest of her mini-Budget, Miss Truss still looks in deep trouble.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith was slated to do broadcast interviews this morning, but no cabinet minister came out to shore up her position.

Mr Hunt is being openly described as the ‘de facto PM’ while around 100 MPs are said to have written to 1922 chief Graham Brady – who returns from holiday today – urging him to change party rules so the premier can be ousted.