PM does not 'get it' as Labour is lamed

UNTIL recently, our democratic system was a pendulum that oscillated between Labour and the Conservatives.

- Leo McKinstry

But now the pendulum has been replaced by a demolition ball threatening to pull down both the main parties. Last week's local election results dramatically illustrated the crisis of credibility that has gripped the traditional duopoly. As Nigel Farage's Reform movement surged, Labour were pulverised and the Tories obliterated.

The scale of the carnage was highlighted by estimates of the projected national share of the vote from the municipal elections, with Reform on 30%, Labour down to just 20% and the Conservatives on only 15%, behind the Lib Dems.

An opinion poll this week confirmed Reform's ascendancy, with the party on 29%, beating 22% for Labour and 17% for the Tories.

Historians like to draw a parallel with British politics exactly a century ago, when the Liberals were suddenly eclipsed by Labour as the Conservatives' main opposition. But the crucial difference is that today, both the main parties are in desperate trouble. Their dual collapse is occurring because much of the electorate is fed up after years of mismanaged services, misspent cash and misguided priorities.