Politics latest news: Next election will be ‘really hard struggle’ for Tory Party, admits minister

The next election will be a “really hard struggle” for the Conservatives, the security minister has admitted as the party continues to trail Labour by almost 20 points in the polls.

Tom Tugendhat insisted the Tories were still capable of winning the next national poll but warned activists of the scale of the challenge that faces Rishi Sunak and his team.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Next Gen Tories campaign group, Mr Tugendhat said: “What we truly are is the party of opportunity, the party of hope, the party of aspiration, the party of ownership of a stake, a property, a business and a country.

“This is our country, this is a fundamentally decent country, a fair country and a conservative country. And it’s up to us to get that message out there, and to convince people that we can offer that again.

“I believe we can win the next election. It’s going to be a really hard struggle. I’m not going to pretend to you that every day between now and whenever it comes is going to be rosy. But we can do it. We can only do it if we offer that unity and that hope.”

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