Michael Portillo warned many Tory candidates could “suffer the same fate” as he did in 1997 on July 4 as voters stop listening to the Conservative Party. 

The so-called “Portillo moment” was one of the defining moments of the 1997 general election as the Tory cabinet minister was ousted by Labour, signalling Sir Tony Blair was heading for a landslide victory. 

Mr Portillo said the Tories’ “confused” campaign messaging during the current contest could lead voters to “shut their ears” entirely to the party. 

He told GB News: “It seems that many Conservative incumbents could suffer the same fate [as he did in 1997]. 

“They know already that over the last five years of Tory government people have ceased to listen to what their party has to say. 

“I rather assume that whilst half the party talks of winning and the other half warns of an upcoming Labour super majority the voters will shut their ears to both.”

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