As the UK election looms, the ruling Conservative Party faces increasing internal turmoil, with the number of resignations from its Members of Parliament (MPs) reaching a staggering 78 as of yesterday. This growing wave of defections places Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a precarious position ahead of the national election scheduled for June 4.

This crisis has surpassed even the infamous collapse of 1997, when 72 Conservative MPs resigned, marking a significant low point in the party’s history. The latest resignations were reported by Reuters, highlighting the scale of the current discontent.

Among those stepping down are notable figures such as former Prime Minister Theresa May and former Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. On Friday, Michael Gove, a senior MP and a key government figure, also resigned, stating in his letter, "There comes a time when you think you should leave and a new generation should come in to lead."

Minister Andrea Leadsom has similarly announced she will not contest the upcoming election. Leadsom, who previously ran for the Conservative leadership in 2016, ultimately lost to Theresa May.

The reasons for the exodus vary. Some departing MPs cite dissatisfaction with the party’s direction under Sunak's leadership, while others see no viable path to victory in the upcoming election. Infighting and polarization within Parliament have also been mentioned as contributing factors.

Rishi Sunak, of Indian origin, has been the UK’s Prime Minister since 2022. However, his tenure has been marked by challenges, including high inflation, which has negatively impacted the party’s standing in public opinion polls. Current polls indicate a likely defeat for Sunak, with the opposition Labour Party poised to surpass the Conservatives.

Despite the alarming number of resignations, British Defense Minister Grant Shapps contends that the departure of MPs is not extraordinary. However, the resignation of senior leaders has added significant pressure on Sunak, who spent the weekend with close advisers rather than engaging in public campaigning.

Labour Party MP Stella Creasy remarked that Sunak might need additional leave to manage his mental exhaustion, emphasizing that the UK requires new leadership.

The coming weeks will be critical for Sunak and the Conservative Party as they navigate this internal crisis and prepare for an election that could reshape the UK's political landscape.