Terrible week for Sunak and Hunt puts election victory all but out of reach

Rishi Sunak (left) and his chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, at a cabinet meeting. Photograph: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street

There was only ever an outside chance that the Conservatives would win the next general election after the tumultuous period that resulted in Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister last October. The events of the past week mean the prospect of a fifth Tory victory is now vanishingly small.

Ironically, things started so well for the government. On Tuesday, the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, luxuriated in the praise bestowed on the UK from the International Monetary Fund as it upgraded its growth forecasts for the economy.