Rishi Sunak could face a WASPI wipeout at the general election if the Government fails to fix the state pension age scandal, the Mirror can reveal.
Our analysis has shown that there are 2.2million women hit by the rise to the pension age who are living in constituencies won by the Conservatives at the 2019 election - more than double the number living in seats won by Labour. And there are also 166 seats where the number of WASPI (Women against State Pension Inequality) women is larger than the MP's majority, which means their votes could be decisive when Britain goes to the polls.
Half of these constituencies (81) were won by the Tories in 2019, with another 56 won by Labour. This means the Conservatives have more to fear. For example, in Derby North, which the Conservatives won by just 2,500 votes in 2019, there are 5,000 women affected by the pensions scandal living in the area.
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Among the list of MPs who could lose their seat to the WASPI vote are three Cabinet Ministers - Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Tory Chairman Richard Holden, and Scotland Secretary Alister Jack. Other senior Tories who could fall foul of WASPI voters include Sir Iain Duncan Smith, prominent Brexiteer Steve Baker - the Northern Ireland Minister and former chair of the European Research Group (ERG) - and ex-Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers.
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Lee Anderson’s Ashfield seat could also be swayed by the WASPI vote. But his defection to Reform UK is likely to muddy the waters. High-profile Labour MPs who could lose their seats if WASPI voters turn against them include Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper and Ed Miliband.
The Government has refused to say whether it will pay compensation to the WASPI women after the watchdog said last week that 1950s-born women who weren't properly notified that the state pension age was rising should be handed payouts. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said ministers should address the injustice caused to more than 3.8million women due to failings by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
WASPI campaigners say many of these women found out too late to alter their retirement plans and have been left “in dire financial straits”, with one in three in debt as a result.
WASPI chair Angela Madden said: “The ombudsman’s report shows clear maladministration by the DWP and recommends compensation to be paid urgently to the 3.6 million affected women. With the numbers of WASPI women outnumbering the majorities of nearly 170 MPs, it’s clear the votes of those affected will have a big impact in a general election that could happen within months.
“What we need now is all parties in Westminster to make an urgent commitment to delivering fair and fast compensation and for the Government to allow a debate on the proposals so all MPs can have their say.”
Campaigners say research shows that 60% of WASPI women have yet to decide how to cast their vote - so the response from the major parties could be crucial. Draft letters have now been prepared to send to parliamentary candidates demanding a “clear political commitment to fair and fast compensation”.
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