Minister Steve Baker admits Tory campaign going ‘badly’ and polls are ‘worrying’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tory minister Steve Baker has admitted the party’s election campaign has gone “badly” and that its double-digit poll deficit is “extremely worrying”. The Northern Ireland minister also said he recognised “things have gone wrong” in the Conservative Party and that he is standing for re-election to try to “sort this mess out”. To be doing as badly in the polls as we are at the moment is, of course, extremely worrying Steve Baker Mr Baker on Monday became the first serving minister to call for those who placed bets on the election date to be suspended by the party, with the Prime Minister on Tuesday pulling support from candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders. Following Mr Sunak’s move, Mr Baker told Times Radio: “Whether for political reasons or just out of sheer respect for the public, we should maintain very high standards and stick to them and just the implication or the impression that somebody might have placed a bet on inside knowledge is totally unacceptable.” Mr Baker also complained that the Prime Minister “didn’t consult me” on calling a summer election.