![Partygate and Truss lit the flame that torched Sunak](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720238366/articles/JDPsDSSOe1720251638986/PARTYGATE-AND-TRUSS-LIT-THE-FLAME-THAT-TORCHED-SUNAK.jpg)
And at the end, Labour's lead was much narrower - nine points. However, voters were so keen to eject the Conservatives from office that many voted for whoever seemed best placed to defeat them locally, be they Labour, the Liberal Democrats, or in some instances Reform or the Greens. With the Conservative vote falling more heavily where they were previously strongest, the electoral system unmercifully meted out rough justice on the party.
It was, of course, not the smoothest of Conservative campaigns. It started with Rishi Sunak getting soaked in the rain when he announced the election date and was greeted with widespread opprobrium when the prime minister failed to attend the international part of the D-Day commemorations in June. Yet the seeds of Conservative defeat were sown a long time ago. The party was punished on Thursday for two mistakes voters had never looked likely to forgive.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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!['I didn't think I'd make it'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/x4eZeDeQG1726122253187/I-DIDNT-THINK-ID-MAKE-IT.jpg)
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
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England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
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Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
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Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
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‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
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How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
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'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
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'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
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Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
![The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/-EyElmB-K1726119647748/THE-THRILLING-TALE-OF-SIX-DAYS-THAT-CHANGED-BRITAIN-FOREVER.jpg)
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum