Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a multitude of political challenges, including an impending by-election in Blackpool South triggered by the resignation of Conservative MP Scott Benton over a lobbying scandal, after a standards watchdog recommended a 35-day suspension. This adds to the pressure on Sunak's leadership ahead of a general election expected later this year. The government is also dealing with a mini-reshuffle following the resignations of Armed Forces Minister James Heappey and Education Minister Robert Halfon, marking them as the 63rd Tory to announce their departure. Their replacements have been announced as Leo Docherty and Luke Hall, respectively. The Reform UK party, founded by Nigel Farage, has seen a surge in support, now polling ahead of the Conservatives among several key demographic groups, including men, Brexit voters, northerners, and the working class. This political turbulence is underscored by over 4000 people joining Reform UK this month, indicating a potential shift in the UK's political landscape.
"You were elected in 2019 - is it a bit like turning up at a party and finding out everyone's leaving?" - @SophyRidgeSky "Not quite" - @David4Wantage Sophy asks David Johnston about the number of Tory MPs quitting before the election. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii https://t.co/rkE01lZP8N
"Two very different MPs, two very different parts of the country, telling a very similar story about the declining electoral prospects of the Conservative Party." @SophyRidgeSky weighs in on the resignation of two ministers. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/Lq0ylxVjym
"It was by no means a necessity that he had to go". @SamCoatesSky talks about James Heappey and Robert Halfon resigning from the government. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/mynyFqLxo8
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak has announced their replacements -Leo Docherty has been appointed Armed Forces Minister -Luke Hall has become Education minister https://t.co/MOAsKLh4bo
Watch #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky, as two ministers join the exodus of Tory MPs ahead of the election forcing Rishi Sunak into a mini-reshuffle https://t.co/xItZsH7tea https://t.co/kAVnTGnjZe
Two junior ministers - including the Wells MP James Heappey - have quit government. https://t.co/qHAsMs0okD
🔵 HARLOW: Universities minister Robert Halfon announces he won't contest the next election. https://t.co/cTR83n3S2g
Rishi Sunak knocked by double hammer blow as two ministers resign - New ministers announced in mini-reshuffle https://t.co/J3Gm0cPS9s
Sunak announces details of mini-reshuffle, with five Tory MPs getting promotions - https://t.co/vnjVgMOoCA
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a by-election test in May in Blackpool South, after Scott Benton announced his resignation. https://t.co/i0zNtRapuM
Easter mini-reshuffle ... OUT Armed Forces minister James Heappey Higher Education minister Robert Halfon IN Nus Ghani MP to be a Minister of State (Minister for Europe) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Leo Docherty MP to be a Minister of State (Minister…
As another senior minister resigns, @AndrewMarr9 and experts delve into what this means for Rishi Sunak. Tonight with Andrew Marr is LIVE, watch now on @GlobalPlayer.
Gutted to see @halfon4harlowMP go. Campaigned tirelessly on petrol duty and backing the Sun’s Keep It Down campaign. Interviewed him one Election as he sat with all his placards next to the A414. A good man https://t.co/2nWWcOOJyI
Rishi Sunak has lost his second government minister in a day after Robert Halfon unexpectedly resigned as education minister ⬇️ https://t.co/aOnI9sDwtk
Two ministerial resignations, two more Conservative MPs standing down at the next election. What does it tell us about the state of the Conservative Party? We’ll be discussing on #PoliticsHub from 7pm With @david4wantage @CarolineFlint @NimkoAli https://t.co/l3bpj1wL3a
📢 Coming up on #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky… 🔴 Conservative MP @david4wantage 🔴 Former government advisor @NimkoAli 🔴 Former Labour MP @CarolineFlint ⏰ 7pm 📱 https://t.co/ZsJh8HEea5 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
Two of the better Conservative Ministers have stood down today. Both widely respected. @JSHeappey is knowledgeable and passionate defender of our armed forces and would have made a fine Defence Sec and @halfon4harlowMP will be a big loss to the skills world as he stands down.
Two ministers quit with Rishi Sunak now facing more than 60 Tory MPs standing down at election https://t.co/fXsVUESsuU
Rats, sinking ship, etc. "Tory exodus as two ministers quit Rishi Sunak's Government ahead of election." https://t.co/TNbIA8lf0i
Oh dear. Another desertion as Two ministers announce resignations. Dont know Heapey, but Halfon is a decent man, old school, and remains loyal to Sunak. So odd to act in this way https://t.co/JACsc25Gd8
Education minister Robert Halfon quits government https://t.co/6Du0ic8QYI
I have always found @halfon4harlowMP to be a thoroughly decent, generous and diligent MP and minister. It’s a shame he’s not standing again and I wish him well.
Rishi Sunak knocked by double hammer blow as two ministers resign - Mini-reshuffle expected in just HOURS https://t.co/J3Gm0cPS9s
Rishi Sunak hammer blow as two ministers resign - Mini-reshuffle expected in just HOURS https://t.co/J3Gm0cPS9s
Like @JSHeappey, Rob has been an excellent minister and real public servant. A big loss to Parliament, as I hope will evidenced from cross-party reaction to this decision to step down. https://t.co/MdAnY2khag
NEW: Tory exodus continues as two ministers quit Rishi Sunak's Government ahead of general election https://t.co/tMOCpg9ncv
NEW: Another veteran Tory MP announces they're standing down at the next election - and quitting as a minister now. https://t.co/GGCOTehXtF
This is a big loss - Rob has championed working class conservatism and levelling up long before it was mainstream. He's made a huge contribution to vocational education and will be missed at DfE and in Parliament. https://t.co/TzkjGXKDn9
#BREAKING Robert Halfon will be standing down at the next General Election. He's the 63rd Tory to stand down. He's only 55. https://t.co/Rdedwh8XNr
A personal statement from the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Member of Parliament for Harlow and the villages and the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education. 👇 https://t.co/SIj1aYNhlm https://t.co/MGadHQWuLV
📢 Coming up on The UK Tonight... 🟣@skysarahjane sits down with Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber's mother 🟣Plus we'll speak to BBC Director General, Tim Davie, on the future of the corporation ⏰ 8pm 📱 https://t.co/WY7k8twsrS 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YT
Reshuffle incoming - Armed forces minister James Heappey quits ahead of standing down as an MP. Will become a vocal champion of higher defence spending https://t.co/9hsjFlq0jO
Sounds like we could be in for a mini reshuffle, following James Heappey's resignation as armed forces minister...
Reshuffle incoming - Armed forces minister James Heappey quits ahead of standing down as an MP. Will become a vocal champion of higher defence spending https://t.co/9hsjFlq0jO
Blackpool South by-election to take place in May https://t.co/T5a5jjqE6o
'Since the last election we've had 5 chancellors, 4 foreign secretaries, 3 prime ministers, 2 defence secretaries, but only 1 armed forces minister' Shadow Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP describes outgoing Wells MP @JSHeappey as a 'rare constant in the turmoil of government'… https://t.co/DK7E0e1jmW
It's official. Writ just moved for Blackpool South by-election by Govt chief whip in Commons. Expected date May 2 to coincide with local elections
Gambling sting MP resigns to trigger by-election in Blackpool South https://t.co/si4iM7WB12 https://t.co/nt67vuPN3K
📢 Coming up on The World with @SkyYaldaHakim... 🌍 Expert on political risk @liviapaggi 🌍 Broadcaster @jonsac 🌍 Spanish football journalist @SemraHunter 🌍 Former US ambassador to Russia @McFaul ⏰ 9pm 📱 https://t.co/4iUo4Yk1KL 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YT
'This is just the kind of Brexity, Northern constituency they were almost created to win.' 'They probably won't get a better chance.' As Scott Benton quits parliament, @AndrewMarr9 and pollster Joe Twyman discuss why Blackpool South is 'prime Reform UK territory.' https://t.co/ts3hu00tRe
🚨 NEW: Over 4000 people have joined Reform UK this month [@reformparty_uk]
It's high time that Rishi Sunak called a general election so the rest of the country, not just Blackpool South, can get the representation they deserve and need after 14yrs of chaos created by this Tory Government. https://t.co/knDn3uUCPk
Blackpool South is a big moment for @reformparty_uk: In the 2019 General Election their precursor, the Brexit Party, won 2.0% of the vote nation wide In Blackpool South they won 3 times that - 6.1% They didn't field a Wellingborough candidate in 2019 but got 13% in byelection https://t.co/3aXi5Cicgk https://t.co/EzSbuCjzn2
📢 Coming up on #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky… 🔴 Former UK National Security Adviser @LyallGrant 🔴 Labour MP @NickTorfaen 🔴 Former shadow chancellor @johnmcdonnellMP 🔴 Conservative MPs @carolinenokes and @timloughton ⏰ 7pm 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YT
Former Conservative MP resigns leaving PM to face new by-election https://t.co/JV5eIdZ2xx
📢 Coming up on The World with @SkyYaldaHakim... 🌍 Expert on political risk @liviapaggi 🌍 Broadcaster and commentator @jonsac ⏰ 9pm 📱 https://t.co/4iUo4Yk1KL 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
Highest % of 2019 Conservative voters to say they'd vote Reform UK that we've recorded. Westminster VI, 2019 Conservatives (24 Mar): Conservative 44% (-2) Reform UK 22% (+1) Labour 20% (+2) Other 7% (+3) Don't Know 8% (-1) Changes +/- 17 Mar https://t.co/1Oy48VdwQA https://t.co/R7mcapCVxH
Tory MOScott Benton resigns meaning another by-election https://t.co/e5B0rhWnAf
Confirmed: Tory chief whip Simon Hart will move writ tomorrow for Blackpool South by-election, meaning poll on May 2, same day as local elections. So by-election circus moves from Rochdale to Blackpool. From Gracie Fields to George Formby!
⚠️ FORMER CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKER RESIGNS, SETTING UP FRESH TEST FOR UK PM SUNAK Full Story → https://t.co/BlNr08Cl6B A former member of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives said he would resign as a lawmaker after a standards watchdog recommended a 35-day…
Should be a relatively straightforward Labour pick up in Blackpool South - interest will be on the size of the swing and the Reform performance. With the rise they've seen in the polls over the last 6 months, Reform should be pushing the Tories for second place here. https://t.co/CQZeM8aObW
A Blackpool by-election? That’ll be illuminating
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces another special election after a Conservative lawmaker resigned over a lobbying scandal, threatening a fresh flash-point over his leadership ahead of a general election expected later this year https://t.co/v4lGyMGpYh
✍️ 'Labour ignore the Reform threat at their peril' | Writes @MrTCHarris https://t.co/9K8TP6D4B6
“If the polls are to be believed, Reform will win two to three million votes at the next general election, if not more. Any MPs? Unlikely.” 🖊️ @BNHWalker https://t.co/anUTTJX2SY
Blackpool South byelection writ being moved tomorrow ahead of recess. Means it can be held on the same day as the local elections on May 2.
NEW: Scott Benton resigns triggering by-election in Blackpool South 🚨 — All factors point to a Labour GAIN — Expect little Tory campaigning as per Wellingborough, Rochdale, Kingswood — Also a big test for Reform. In 2015, UKIP came third here on 17.3% https://t.co/UwimAdKYDm https://t.co/h2nufBHUPX
Former Tory MP resigns leaving PM to face new by-election https://t.co/FL9Zuw1Mab
On Monday's #PoliticsLive James Daly MP, Conservative Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister for Creative Industries Anita Boateng, former Conservative special adviser Ash Sarkar, Novara Media BBC Two 12:15pm https://t.co/KSufzMwnIA https://t.co/m7uQ9ccwRF
“I was the fourth or fifth minister to resign...I would have been the third if the printers have been working properly in the library.” Tory MP Robin Walker tells @MattChorley about the queue to resign from Boris Johnson’s government. 🎧 https://t.co/NrHBZyINAw @WalkerWorcester https://t.co/ABbJIXk8DA
Tory MP Robin Walker tells me that he would have been the third minister to resign from Boris Johnson's government but he was waiting to use the Commons printer. So... when have you had to wait and wait?
“The other data-point to note about Reform’s current supporters is that they are vociferously anti-Labour.” 🖊️ @BNHWalker https://t.co/It82Nu54LJ
"Remarkably, Reform is now polling ahead of the Tories among men, Brexit voters, northerners, the working-class, and is just two points behind in England" https://t.co/YuCB28cxic
💼 The Exit Interviews Outgoing Tory MP Robin Walker recalls the “surreal” queue that formed at the Commons library printers as ministers lined up to quit Boris Johnson’s government. 📻 11am on https://t.co/xhUnEXLqj5 🎧 https://t.co/NrHBZyINAw @MattChorley | @WalkerWorcester https://t.co/O4IUdv9sBI
💼 The Exit Interviews Outgoing Conservative MP Robin Walker recalls the “surreal” queue that formed at the Commons library printers as ministers lined up to quit Boris Johnson’s government. 📻 https://t.co/xhUnEXLqj5 🎧 https://t.co/NrHBZyINAw @MattChorley | @WalkerWorcester https://t.co/FAav6oCjL0
The Reform UK party, founded by Nigel Farage, have gained more favor with men in Britain than the governing Conservatives (Tories), per a... Read more: https://t.co/rWIJ2Ob2FK ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️
UK (GB), Opinium poll: LAB-S&D: 41% CON~ECR: 25% LDEM-RE: 10% GREENS-G/EFA: 8% (+1) REFORM~NI: 11% SNP-G/EFA: 3% +/- vs. 6-8 March 2024 Fieldwork: 20–22 March 2024 Sample size: 1,318 https://t.co/Oc1WEqP3kq https://t.co/vmF98x8tfG