UK

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's leadership, the Tories will taste defeat in the upcoming general election, cautioned Suella Braverman, the former UK Home Secretary. Braverman, however, indicated that she would not be launching a leadership bid.

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Braverman, who was sacked in November, stated that she has no plans to topple the under-fire government before the country heads to ballot boxes.

Acknowledging her concerns regarding the Tories' polling numbers, she emphasised the uncomfortable reality that the Prime Minister's path was leading towards defeat. Braverman urged the government to take action, emphasising the need to demonstrate seriousness in halting illegal immigration by sea.

Also read: Danger looms on Rishi Sunak as crafty Tories plot to throw him out 

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The Tories have been planning to oust Sunak, with Commons leader Penny Mordaunt appearing the favourite among Tory MPs to replace him. But other names including Braverman have been rumoured as a possible replacement, especially among those who are more rightwing in the party.

The Conservatives can possibly face a significant defeat in the upcoming election, according to Professor John Curtice, a respected polling expert. He recently forecasted that the Conservatives have only a 1 per cent chance of leading the next government. Recent polls indicate that the Conservative Party holds 20 per cent of the vote, narrowly surpassing Reform UK, linked to Nigel Farage, which stands at 16 per cent. In contrast, Labour maintains a substantial lead with 43 per cent of the vote.

"I'm not thinking about any kind of leadership campaign. Rishi Sunak is our Prime Minister, I fully expect him to lead us into the next general election,” Braverman said.

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"I owe that to the people who have sent me to Parliament, and I owe that to you, and so the honest truth is that we are heading for a defeat, to put it mildly, at the general election. I very much hope that we change course and that we improve the offer to the British people. Ultimately, measures on tax cuts, measures on migration, measures on national security and social cohesion are insufficient by this Government."

Braverman was sacked as Home Secretary after a turbulent period in November in which she was accused of inspiring clashes between police and far-right thugs at the Cenotaph following her claim that police forces "play favourites" with protest groups. It also came just weeks after she described rough sleeping as being a "lifestyle choice".

Braverman was sacked from her role as Home Secretary in November following a chaotic period. During this time, she faced accusations of inciting confrontations between police and far-right individuals at the Cenotaph. Additionally, her dismissal occurred shortly after she controversially characterised rough sleeping as a "lifestyle choice."

(With inputs from agencies)