Working class deserting Tories in droves under Rishi Sunak, poll finds

The quayside at Blyth, Northumberland, part of the Blyth Valley constituency that in 2019 elected a Conservative MP for the first time. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Working-class people who were a key part of the coalition of voters that delivered the Conservatives’ 2019 general election win have been deserting the party in droves under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, polling has found.

Only 44% of working-class voters who voted for the Tories in 2019 say they will back the party next time, according to research by YouGov released as Keir Starmer prepares to make what will probably be his last pitch for support at a Labour conference before a general election.