The Conservatives could be wiped out in the North East at the next election, according to a new poll from a campaign group.
The poll by the 38 Degrees group in association with research company company Survation - using a method that correctly predicted 94% of seats at the 2019 General Election - shows the Tories losing all of their seats in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham. That would mean defeat for Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, as well as a reversal of the ‘Red Wall’ gains the party made in constituencies like Bishop Auckland, North West Durham and Blyth Valley less than three years ago.
The poll comes as fears over the cost-of-living increase, with the Survation polling showing that almost a third of people in the North East (32%) worry they might have to use a foodbank - the highest in the country - and 40% are concerned about not being able to pay their rent or mortgage. Despite the Government’s package of support for household energy bills, nearly two-thirds of people in the North East (64%) are scared they might not be able to pay their energy bills, while 65% think they might have to cut back on buying essentials like groceries. Both are the highest levels of concern anywhere in the UK.
