The Conservatives have taken to venting their frustrations publicly, and often in very vivid terms

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When the former Olympic rower James Cracknell, a Tory candidate, called his own party a “shower of shit” this week, he was not the first Tory to pour scorn on their electoral efforts.

A disastrous campaign, kicked off by Rishi Sunak in heavy rain and mired in repeated insider betting scandals, has led many Conservatives to vent their frustrations publicly. Here are some of their thoughts on their own party.

Desmond Swayne is predicted to be re-elected yet again in a seat where most of the population are over 50 and some are ‘terrified of Labour’

Betty Granger refuses to give up hope for another Conservative government. Sipping tea in the New Milton Conservative Club in Hampshire, Granger, 97, says she has her “fingers crossed” for a Tory win.

She posted her 21st vote for them earlier this week. “I can’t think what anybody else would’ve done better,” she says of their record.