Boost for Rishi Sunak as he faces triple by-election disaster risk

Much-needed boost for Rishi Sunak as he faces threat of triple by-election disaster this week – with Tories left £10m by Sainsbury’s tycoon in biggest ever donation

Rishi Sunak has been handed a much needed boost as he braces for potentially three by-election disasters this week.

The Tories have received a record donation of £10million from a bequest in the will of Lord John Sainsbury.

The peer, a former chair of the supermarket chain, died last year aged 94 and gifted the money to the Conservative Party Foundation.

But Mr Sunak is facing an immediate threat with the situation looking grim for a clutch of by-elections.

Contests are taking place on Thursday in Boris Johnson’s old Uxbridge & South Ruislip seat, Somerton & Frome and Selby & Ainsty.

Conservatives are gloomy about their prospects, with many resigned to losing all three.

Techne UK research published on Friday had Sir Keir’s party on 46 per cent, compared to just 26 per cent for the Tories

Rishi Sunak has been handed a much needed boost as he braces for potentially three by-election disasters this week

National polls have been consistently showing double-digit leads for Labour.

Techne UK research published on Friday had Sir Keir’s party on 46 per cent, compared to just 26 per cent for the Tories.

A poor performance on Thursday could trigger renewed infighting against Mr Sunak’s leadership.

In theory the legacy from Lord Sainsbury cannot be used to help replenish the party’s warchest for the general election, due next year.

The foundation is intended to support the Tories’ long term finances, not routine campaigning.

A spokesman for the Conservative Foundation said: ‘We are extremely grateful to the late Lord Sainsbury for his generosity.

‘This bequest is an invaluable contribution to support our work, including our bursary fund to support young Conservative candidates in key seats.’

The sum is even higher than the £5million donation from Mohamed Mansour, the party’s senior treasurer, earlier this year.

Keir Starmer is looking to burnish his credentials as a PM in waiting with the by-elections this week