Rishi Sunak is missing from constituencies where famous Tories could be voted out

Rishi Sunak has avoided campaigning in constituencies where leading Tories could be ousted, according to new analysis.

Research by the campaign group Best for Britain has found that the Prime Minister actively lobbied for the Tories in only five of the 45 constituencies where senior members of his own party could be voted out in the general election.

This means that he was able to avoid nine out of ten swing seats – a considerable proportion given that his party is in danger of electoral defeat.

Since June 28, Sunak has travelled to the Central Devon region, where Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is running, the Suffolk Coastal region, where his friend Therese Coffey is hoping for re-election, and the Stoke-on-Trent North constituency of Tory deputy leader Jonathan Gullis.

He also appeared in Science Minister Michelle Donelan’s constituency of Melkhsham and Devizes, as well as in his own constituency of Richmond and Northallerton in Yorkshire.

But in the 15 most marginal constituencies, where the probability of candidates winning or losing is 5%, he did not campaign at all.

While it may be Sunak’s decision not to stand in these constituencies, Best for Britain’s analysis follows reports that candidates have turned down offers for the Prime Minister to campaign with them in their constituencies.

Already in May, the incumbent Tory mayors distanced themselves from the Prime Minister during their election campaigns by avoiding any clear conservative stance.

Ben Houchen – who was re-elected as mayor of Tees Valley – also made no mention of Sunak or the Tories in his victory speech.

Even Sunak supporter and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps appears to be trying to distance himself from his own government, as his campaign leaflets contain no mention of Sunak or any clear affiliation with the Conservatives.

The Conservative Party has been asked for comment.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said: “Sunak’s problem is that not even his own party wants him, let alone the public.

“We need a clean break with him, his party and the damage they have done over the past 14 years. And the best way for voters to keep the Tories out of power for at least a decade is to vote tactically.”

Best for Britain launched its tactical voting website, GetVoting.org, in June to advise voters on how to vote in each constituency to oust the Tories from Parliament and keep out the far-right group Reform.

If the polls are correct, a large group of Tory bigwigs could be facing a “Portillo moment” – named after the minister who unexpectedly lost his safe seat in the 1997 general election.

Former Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, Welsh Secretary David Davies, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, veteran minister Johnny Mercer and former Prime Minister Liz Truss could all end up on the scrapheap.