BORIS Johnson is losing millions of loyal voters as the cost of living crisis hits Tory heartlands, a poll reveals.
Rocketing household bills are piling on the agony for supporters who feel betrayed.
Yesterday, they faced an even tighter squeeze on family budgets amid fears fruit and veg prices could rise by up to 30 per cent.
It has led to a 7.5 point swing towards Labour in key Tory areas, a Survation poll shows.
Many feel the Government is neglecting the shire counties as it heaps resources on former “Red Wall” Labour strongholds
Two-thirds of people in rural areas say No 10 is not doing enough to create prosperity in their communities.
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And seven out of ten believe that opportunities for young people have stagnated or decreased in the past five years.
Alarmingly for Tories, most of the lost votes have switched to Labour, according to the survey in five of Britain’s most rural counties.
At the 2019 election, 46 per cent of people in the areas voted Tory, while 29 per cent voted Labour.
Now, only 38 per cent say that they intend to vote Conservative, just two points ahead of Labour.
Suppliers warned recent strikes by lorry drivers over fuel costs in Spain could have a knock-on effect for cost of fruit and veg here.
Importers say it may take ten days for supplies of produce such as tomatoes and lettuce to return to normal and costs for firms could rise by up to 30 per cent.
Last night, a top Tory warned the poll could soon be followed by disastrous results for the party in next month’s local elections.
