Seven Conservative MPs across Sussex are forecast to lose their seats at the next general election.
Polling data from Find Out Now and Electoral Calculus found that Labour is set to gain five seats across the county when voters next go the polls, with the Liberal Democrats forecast to win back two seats they have previously held in Sussex.
A date for the general election has yet to be announced, but it is widely expected to be called some time next year.
Among those forecast to lose their seats are Lewes MP Maria Caulfield, Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell and Father of the House of Commons Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West.
The forecast, commissioned by Channel 4, also predicts several extremely close races in other seats across the county.
Tory MPs Nick Gibb and Jeremy Quin, who represent Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and Horsham respectively, could come within three per cent of losing their seat in Parliament, while Labour is forecast to win Mid Sussex by just one per cent.
Responding to the projection, Worthing West MP Sir Peter Bottomley said: "I have been elected MP after a number of polls suggesting that would not happen. It is best to count the votes after any election."
The other Tory MPs were approached for comment but did not respond.
Forecast results across Sussex at next general election (based on Find Out Now/Electoral Calculus poll)
- Arundel and South Downs - Conservative hold
- Bexhill and Battle - Conservative hold
- Bognor Regis and Littlehampton - Conservative hold
- Brighton Kemptown - Labour hold
- Brighton Pavilion - Green hold
- Chichester - Conservative hold
- Crawley - Labour gain
- Eastbourne - Liberal Democrat gain
- East Worthing and Shoreham - Labour gain
- Hastings and Rye - Labour gain
- Horsham - Conservative hold
- Hove - Labour hold
- Lewes - Liberal Democrat gain
- Mid Sussex - Labour gain
- Wealden - Conservative hold
- Worthing West - Labour gain
The projection also predicts that the Green Party will keep its only seat in Brighton Pavilion, despite the decision of Caroline Lucas to stand down as an MP at the next election.
Sian Berry was selected as the Green Party’s candidate in the constituency for the election.
She said: “I will be working hard on the ground from now until election day to make another Green majority a reality for Brighton Pavilion.
“As the Tories get worse every day and Labour shifts further and further away from their promises on action to stop climate chaos and support people living in poverty, voters can see the need for a Green MP to represent them in Parliament.”
Nationally, the poll projects that the Conservatives would be reduced to just 90 seats in Parliament, down from the 365 they won at the last general election.
Among those expected to lose their seats include Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and 17 other Cabinet ministers.
Labour would win a landslide majority should the results be repeated at an election, winning 461 seats in Parliament, more than the number won by Tony Blair in 1997.
The SNP is expected to win 38 seats, down ten, with the Liberal Democrats on 37 and Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru on four.
Chris Holbrook, chief executive of Find Out Now, said: “Our poll of 11,142 adults in Great Britain demonstrates the scale of the swing from Conservative to Labour, showing the likelihood of a Labour landslide.
“The swing should not overshadow the apparent re-establishment of the Liberal Democrats as a credible third party after nearly a decade in the political wilderness.”
Martin Baxter, chief executive of Electoral Calculus, said: “With every month that goes by, Labour are edging towards a grudging landslide victory at the next general election.
“Without overmuch enthusiasm, the public look likely to reject the Conservatives and are mostly embracing Labour.”
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel