Grant Shapps insisted the Tories “absolutely” can turn around their electoral fortunes as he responded to a poll which suggested the Conservatives could be heading for a 1997-style wipeout. 

A YouGov survey of 14,000 people forecasted that the Conservatives will retain just 169 seats, while Labour will sweep to power with 385 – giving Sir Keir Starmer a 120-seat majority.

Asked if he believed the Tories could turn the situation around, the Defence Secretary told Times Radio: “Absolutely. Absolutely. And look, the reason I think we can turn it around is because at least people know we have got a plan and we are working to it. There isn’t a plan under Labour.”

Sir Simon Clarke, the Tory former Cabinet minister, responded to the poll by tweeting that the “time for half measures is over”, adding: “We either deliver on small boats or we will be destroyed.”

The poll was published at the start of what could be a key week for Mr Sunak’s premiership as the Rwanda Bill returns to the House of Commons on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Some Tory MPs on the right of the parliamentary Conservative Party have warned they will vote against the flagship Bill unless Mr Sunak accepts their amendments to strengthen it. 

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