Party's over as Tories now a laughing stock

I LEFT the Channel 4 studios on Friday morning, having spent the entire night in election commentary, with a leaden feeling of sadness. So many good MPs had been thrown out, including Adam Holloway, Liam Fox and Jacob Rees-Mogg. I could imagine it all: the misery, the tears of spouses, the tatty blue rosettes discarded on dressing tables, the "what now?", the depression of party workers.

- Ann Widdecombe

None. The Yet sad as I was, I felt no regret.

Conservative Party had become a laughing stock or at least its parliamentary wing had, racked with nonstop internecine war, plagued by panic, always believing its problems would be solved if someone other than the incumbent were to be leader.

Five prime ministers in 14 years, squabbling right up to the gates of the election, record immigration, record taxation, record crime. It could not go on and I am grateful that it was finally brought to a halt.