Leaving aside the effect of voters seeing Reform in action, what's the effect on the activists? There's a type of politician who is very effective while in opposition. Asking difficult questions, thr… (View Post)

It's not a cheerful thought, but doesn't dislike of candidates drive turnout? That and a perception that the result might be close. If the result is a foregone conclusion and the worst response is a … (View Post)

Quite possibly. After all, what is the bit of political space that the Conservatives might want to occupy, that someone else isn't doing better? (View Post)

Name recognition. It's not easy to name the not-great-office members of the Cabinet. At this stage, that's where Starmer's sucessor is likely to be found. Though even that is an order of magnitude ea… (View Post)

Things 1 and 2 both sound more convincingly Estuary than I do. After all, they were born in Romford, not near the Solent. Shortly after the start of our temporary sojourn in Yorkshire, someone said t… (View Post)