Rising mortgage rates could cost the Tories 45 seats in their southern heartlands, analysis shows.
Research by Public First casts doubt on whether the Conservatives could hold onto a string of constituencies where they have modest majorities and above average numbers of mortgage holders.
Mortgage rates shot up after Liz Truss's disastrous mini-Budget amid fears the Bank of England would hike interest rates to manage the flurry of unfunded tax cuts.
