Internal polling shows that the Tories would do worse in a snap election than Theresa May in 2017, according to new reports.
However, not everyone is convinced by the apparent leaks that serve as a source for these claims – and even accuse the Tories of using underhanded tactics. Can you believe it?!
It started with Jason Stein, a Tory special advisor and Amber Rudd's aide until she resigned as a minister at the weekend.
Sky News reporter Sam Coates said Number 10 had seen polling showing that if there was an election, Boris Johnson's party would do worse than under Theresa May in 2017.
Stein told him: "We are looking at picking up roughly 295 to 300 seats..
"Polling that's been done through Downing Street during the last two weeks.. Number 10 themselves will privately tell you, this will be a tough election, they're not expecting this to be the land of milk and honey.
"It is just the simple fact that we're going to lose seats in London, in the south-west, in Scotland.. They need to be replaced, they're already ten behind, we need to win 35 seats in areas we've never won before just to break even."
This result would fall short of May's tally of 317 MPs at the General Election.
Daily Mirror political editor Pippa Crerar had heard some rumours too.
Responding to the Stein quote, she tweeted: "This is fascinating BUT is this based on pre/post Oct 31 election AND with or without a deal? I don't doubt Tories will suffer in SW/London/Scotland but what about their target Labour-held Leave seats?
"A Number 10 mole tells me that the private polling actually shows the Tories would currently win 287 seats (YouGov. Sample 50,000)"
For context, the Tories currently hold 309 seats (excluding the deputy speaker, who is a Tory MP but does not vote). With the DUP, that takes them to 319. The opposition total 320, after excluding the seven Sinn Fein MPs who do not take their seats. So, short of a majority.
Some are now asking: Why would the Tories be pushing for an election if internal polling is so dire?
Could this just be a bid to bait the opposition into voting for a General Election tonight? This comes after the approach of tweeting at KFC with a picture of Jeremy Corbyn as a chicken somehow failed.
Social media users were quick to point this theory out.
Smacks of disinformation, meant to goad opposition MPs into voting for a GE.
— Edwin Hayward🦄🗡️ (@uk_domain_names) September 9, 2019
This is complete rubbish - all the polling has consistently shown Cons ahead ariund 15%..
— Mollie (@MollieW152) September 9, 2019
Says advisor to Amber Rudd lolz...if it were true Lab and Lib would agree to a GE.
— Boris don't let us down.(will followback) (@reverse_spin_me) September 9, 2019
Can’t see this cutting much ice with Labour MPs who think if Boris Johnson were to secure an election tonight he would move the date to after October 31st.
— Theo Usherwood (@theousherwood) September 9, 2019
— Peter Hoskins (@PeterHoskinsTV) September 9, 2019
Would anyone fall for it, though?
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here