‘That’s an annihilation’: Labour’s poll lead spikes alarmingly, increasing Tory pressure for government U-turn
You have to go back to Tony Blair’s honeymoon period after his 1997 landslide general election victory to find a Labour opinion poll lead as massive as 33 points.
All those critics of Sir Keir Starmer – mostly on the Corbynista left-wing of the party, who’ve claimed with the Tories in turmoil, Labour should be 20 points ahead – have their answer now.
Even after a successful Labour conference, the results of YouGov’s poll for The Times are stunning. “You’re joking! That’s an annihilation!” one senior Tory MP told Sky News.
Potentially, yes. One estimate suggested, on that showing in a general election, the Conservatives would be left with just 61 seats in the Commons. That’s fantasy, however. It’s a very, very crude calculation. So dream on, Labour MPs!
When the Blairs moved into Number 10 in 1997, it was the first time in 18 years Labour had been in power
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Opinion polls are a snapshot and this is just one poll and the next general election could be more than two years away.
But YouGov’s findings are damning for Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng. They will also bring smug smiles to supporters of Rishi Sunak, who will no doubt say privately: “Told you so.”
Chancellor urged to bring forward statement – follow live economy updates
Asked whether Mr Sunak would have made a better or worse PM than Ms Truss, 44% said better and 13% said worse. And among Tory supporters, 36% said better and 29% worse.
The Times reports support for the Tories has fallen by seven points, from 28% to 21%, amid fears the government’s plans will lead to spiralling interest rates.
And it appears it’s largely those “Red Wall” voters who handed victory to Boris Johnson in the 2019 general election who are deserting his successor, Liz Truss now.
A mini-budget, not a Budget
Some 17% of those who backed Mr Johnson in 2019 said they would vote Labour now and only 37% of 2019 Tory voters said they were planning to stick with the party, suggesting a Tory wipeout if an election were held now.
But it won’t be held now. And the veteran Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale correctly pointed out on Sky News that even if Mr Kwarteng’s “Growth Plan” was voted down in the Commons in a major backbench mutiny, the Truss government would not automatically fall.
That’s because, wisely, Mr Kwarteng insisted that despite his tax cuts, his statement last Friday was not a Budget. So the constitutional convention that a defeat on a Budget means a government falls, does not apply.
Read more:
Chancellor insists govt ‘protecting people across UK’
Liz Truss defends economic strategy despite fiscal chaos
In a big boost for the Labour leader, allies of Sir Keir will be delighted almost three times as many voters said he would make a better PM than Ms Truss. Her support has fallen 10 points in four days.
The poll, based on a survey of 1,712 voters on 28 and 29 September, was published shortly after Mr Kwarteng issued a desperate plea to Tory MPs to back him.
“I understand your concern,” he said in a letter to his backbenchers, coming after he failed to reassure many of them in a phone call earlier this week. “We are one team and need to remain focused.”
He concluded: “We need your support to do this, as the only people who win if we divide is the Labour Party.”
Well, Labour is winning at the moment. And this devastating opinion poll will trigger more demands from apoplectic Conservative MPs for a U-turn in policy.
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
‘This lady’s not for turning’
But for the time being at least, Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng remain defiant. Margaret Thatcher famously said in her 1981 Tory conference speech: “U-turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.”
Twitter commentators spotted Liz Truss appearing to recreate an outfit worn by Margaret Thatcher
This lady Prime Minister is not for turning, either, yet.
But there may come a point – if the money markets continue to plunge and interest rates soar, placing thousands of families at risk of losing their home – where a U-turn may be the only way out of the crisis for the PM.
Alarming levels
In one of her regional TV interviews, Ms Truss was challenged by an interviewer who claimed she seemed to be saying: “Crisis, what crisis?”
She replied: “I’m not saying that at all.
“I think we’re in a very serious situation.”
That’s as close as she’s likely to come to admitting she is facing a crisis. While polls are indeed just a snapshot, there’s a trend now, with Labour’s poll lead growing to alarming levels for the Conservatives.
Political parties usually get a boost in the polls from the publicity their conference brings, as Labour has spectacularly this week.
Anything less than even a modest poll recovery for the Tories after their Birmingham conference next week will plunge the morale of Conservative backbenchers to potentially perilous levels for the PM and her chancellor.
The UK celebrated the start of 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display on the banks of the River Thames – as London defied weather concerns which led to the cancellation of other events around the country.
Thousands listened to Big Ben ring in the new year after celebrations had already taken place across the world – with fireworks lighting up the night skies in major cities including Sydney in Australia, Mumbai in India and Damascus in Syria.
The 11-minute display in the UK capital took place over the London Eye and began with the message “Your New Year Is Unwritten”.
To a diverse soundtrack which featured music from the likes of Sir Elton John, One Direction and Charli XCX, the display looked back at 2024 with topics including the weather, the Paris Olympics, the Paralympics and Euro 2024.
Follow latest: Live updates as world ushers in 2025
Fireworks exploded in the sky over the River Thames. Pic: PA
There were also voiceovers from British actress Dame Imelda Staunton and actor Sir Ian McKellen.
The London mayor’s office said around 100,000 ticketholders had attended the display, which included more than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights.
The display ended with a message from Paddington Bear that “anyone can fit in” in London before a version of Auld Lang Syne by Boney M.
Fireworks light up the sky over London to welcome in 2025. Pic: AP
UK celebrations fall victim to bad weather
Meanwhile, crowds sheltered under umbrellas to watch fireworks and enjoy entertainment in Manchester, but the weather curtailed celebrations elsewhere with fireworks displays cancelled in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight.
It came after Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, which were due to include a street party and fireworks, were called off due to safety concerns.
The Met Office has numerous weather warnings in place across the country on New Year’s Day – including an amber warning for rain covering much of the North West.
The world parties into 2025
The first country to welcome in the new year was the Pacific nation of Kiribati at 10am UK time.
It was followed by New Zealand an hour later – with fireworks launched from the Sky Tower in Auckland as part of a spectacular light show.
Fireworks at the Sky Tower in Auckland. Pic: APTN
At 1pm UK time it was Australia’s turn to usher in 2025.
A stunning fireworks display lit up the sky above Sydney Harbour Bridge as more than one million people watched below.
British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong moments earlier outside Sydney Opera House, with indigenous ceremonies and performances also taking place in the build up to the celebrations.
Read more from Sky News:
New Year’s Day’s national newspaper front pages
Private school parents facing higher fees
Riots and escaped horses: 2024 in pictures
Celebrations in Sydney. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
A couple of hours later the clocked ticked into 2025 in South Korea, North Korea and Japan.
In the South Korean capital Seoul, a bell tolling and countdown ceremony took place in the historic Bosingak Pavilion.
On the other side of the demilitarised zone, North Korea said goodbye to 2024 with a fireworks display in Kim II Sung Square in the capital Pyongyang.
Fireworks in Pyongyang as North Korea enters 2025. Pic: AP
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The world celebrates 2025
At the same time crowds had gathered at a temple in central Tokyo to watch a traditional bell-ringing ceremony, known as Joya no Kane.
An hour later fireworks kicked off 2025 with a bang in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
It came as crowds in the Chinese capital Beijing gathered in Shougang Park to celebrate the start of 2025.
A monk hits the bell for the Joya no Kane ritual in Tokyo. Pic: AP
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Pic: AP
In the Thailand capital Bangkok, fireworks blasted off in style over Chao Phraya River, while in Malaysia people gathered near the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, to celebrate the New Year.
A fireworks display in Indonesia’s Jakarta featured 800 drones.
A couple of hours later it was India’s turn to say goodbye to 2024, with thousands of people in Mumbai flocking to the city’s bustling promenade facing the Arabian Sea.
Pic: Reuters
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Pic: AP
Pic: Reuters
In the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, thousands attended a dazzling light and fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.
It came before hundreds gathered in the Syrian capital Damascus to sing, dance and watch a fireworks display – with many looking forward to a new beginning weeks after rebels ousted President Bashar al Assad.
People celebrate New Year’s Eve at Umayyad Square in Damascus. Pic: AP
Celebrations in the Syrian capital Damascus. Pic: Reuters
Hours later countries in Europe began to celebrate the start of 2025.
Paris appeared to have spared no expense with its display at the Champs-Elysees.
The French capital was capping a momentous 2024 following the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Pic: Reuters
Meanwhile, Rome’s traditional New Year’s Eve festivities had an additional draw: the start of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration projected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.
At 3am UK time, A huge fireworks display thrilled crowds gathered on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil welcomed the new year.
More than two million people were expected to descend on the beach for the celebration.
Two hours later thousands of people celebrated the start of 2025 in Times Square in New York.
Crowds cheered and couples kissed when a crystal-covered ball weighing almost six tons descended down a pole in the square to signal the beginning of the new year.
The Times Square celebrations also included musical performances by TLC and Jonas Brothers.
Tionne Tenese Watkins and Rozonda Thomas of TLC perform at Times Square. Pic: Reuters
Elsewhere, Chinese state media covered an exchange of new year’s greetings between leader Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin in a reminder of the growing closeness between two leaders who face tensions with the West.
Meanwhile, a blackout hit nearly all of Puerto Rico early on Tuesday as the US territory prepared to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
More than 1.2 million out of 1.47 million customers were without power, according to Luma Energy, a private company that oversees electricity transmission and distribution on the island.
It was not immediately clear what caused the widespread outage or when power would be restored.
UK
UK weather: Fresh amber warning for rain into New Year’s Day as wind and downpours cancel celebrations
A new amber warning for heavy rain has been issued for parts of England this evening, as wet and windy weather elsewhere in the country forced the cancellation of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Outdoor events planned for 31 December as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will not take place, and events on the 30th were also cancelled.
A spokesperson said events in the city centre of the Scottish capital, including fireworks from the castle, are unable to go ahead “on the grounds of public safety” due to “high winds and inclement weather”.
New Year’s Eve latest:
Follow live updates
Meanwhile, organisers of a planned fireworks display in Blackpool said it has also been cancelled due to the weather.
Visit Blackpool said only the pyrotechnics have been affected, with the rest of the New Year’s Eve Family Party to continue as planned, including free ice skating and a projection light show.
Weather warnings for the UK as of Tuesday evening. Pic: Met Office
More bad news came on Tuesday evening when the Met Office issued an amber warning for rain over an area from Preston to Bradford. It is in place as of 8.38pm on Tuesday evening until 9am on Wednesday morning.
“Persistent and, at times heavy, rain will continue overnight before clearing southwards on Wednesday morning,” the forecaster said.
“40-50mm rain is expected fairly widely, with 50-100mm across west-facing hills. There is a chance a few locations could see in excess of 100mm.”
Heavy rain is likely to lead to disruption including flooding. Pic: Met Office
Almost every part of the UK is covered by at least one of multiple Met Office weather warnings over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday.
Another fireworks event in Ripon, North Yorkshire, also succumbed to the weather, with the council posting on Facebook that the event planned to take place in the city’s Market Square could not go ahead due to high winds.
While a homemade boat race in Poole in Dorset, a sea dip in Lyme Regis in the same south coast county, as well as fireworks displays on the Isle of Wight and on Newcastle’s Quayside, were all cancelled on Tuesday morning.
Although London’s City Hall had said it was “monitoring the weather”, mayor Sadiq Khan this evening reassured visitors the fireworks would go ahead.
London mayor Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency: “I’m really excited about the London New Year’s Eve fireworks, the biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe.
“Hundreds of thousands of fireworks, great light display but also a great soundtrack tonight as well.”
Waves break on the seafront in Blackpool. Pic: PA
Rain, wind and snow warnings
Three separate weather warnings currently cover Scotland alone for Tuesday evening, including a yellow warning for “persistent snow” over Shetland and Orkney, a yellow warning for rain and snow in the north, which could bring possible blizzard conditions, especially over high ground in Sutherland and Caithness.
Three different warnings cover Scotland on Tuesday alone. Pic: Met Office
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Hogmanay event cancelled
A yellow warning for wind spans from Glasgow to Edinburgh, and the Met Office has warned of possible delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
Train operator ScotRail warned its services were being disrupted by speed restrictions due to “very heavy rainfall”.
At least 11 lines have been affected, according to the ScotRail website, and 18 trains were cancelled on Tuesday morning.
Network Rail said it closed the Highland Main Line at Kingussie because of “more extreme rainfall overnight”.
Forecasters say the high winds and rain may also cause flooding, particularly in the Midlands and Pennines, with the Environment Agency urging people to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through floodwater.
In the Highlands, flooding has forced the closure of the A9 at Tomich.
The A9 in Inverness. Pic: PA
‘Tricky couple of days’
As the clock strikes midnight in the UK, separate warnings for wind and rain are in place for Wednesday.
Pic: PA
Strong winds are forecast across much of England and Wales until 3pm on 1 January, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills, according to the Met Office.
A period of strong winds on Wednesday across most of England and Wales risks disruption, the Met Office said. Pic: Met Office
The period from Thursday to Saturday is expected to be a “widely cold but sunny few days, with wintry showers mainly confined to coastal areas.
“Northern areas may see patchy rain, sleet and snow move in on Saturday.”.
Read more from Sky News:
Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident
The stand-out names on New Year Honours list
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: “It will be a tricky couple of days and a wet and windy spell for many up into the new year.
“We’re encouraging anyone who is planning to travel to keep up to date with the weather forecast and news from their local authorities.”
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway