Express Mortgages Express Loans Bingo Lose Weight Franchising Dating Shopping Book Shop Find Spare Parts Cut Your Bills Wine Shop Legal Store FlatShare Cruises

EXPRESS COMMENT

TORIES TRIUMPH IN BATTLE BUT THE WAR ISN'T WON YET

Saturday May 3,2008

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

The Tories have scored a massive victory in the local elections.

They have invaded Labour’s traditional northern strongholds, they have secured Middle Britain and they have persuaded those who, though long dissatisfied with Labour, would once still have voted for them when it came to that moment in the ballot box.

Labour knew they had it coming. And though ministers will make the usual noises about all governments receiving punishment from the electorate at local elections, they know and the public knows that the scale of their defeat is due to more than mere mid-term blues.

It is significant, too, that for once local elections have fired up voters. That’s because domestic issues are at the top of the agenda now – rubbish collections, council tax, education, health, transport.

These are all the issues that are handled at local level and not one of them is being dealt with satisfactorily. Food and fuel prices are soaring. Day-to-day living is becoming harder for ordinary people. No wonder so many jumped at the chance to register a protest this week.

There is also a palpable feeling that there is a real alternative on offer and that change is possible. For years it seemed that there was little to choose between the political parties. But now David Cameron’s Tories have found momentum and purpose. This, too, has energised the electorate.

Gordon Brown on the other hand – dour and dithering – drains energy from all around him like a political black hole. Where Cameron is light on his feet, Brown is lumbering. Where Cameron is quick-witted, Brown looks increasingly punch-drunk and slow on the uptake. Brown never had charm but he appeared to have intellect. Now even that seems to have melted away.

But steady on. This wasn’t a general election. And the next general election is, in political terms, an eternity away.
It will be fascinating to see how Labour reacts to this week’s defeat. Will it provide a fresh impetus to present a strong, united front in time for the greater test in 2010? Team Cameron must pace themselves carefully.

So a slap on the back for Cameron and a slap in the face for Brown. But let’s save that bottle of champagne for the real deal in two years time. That’s if anyone can afford champagne by then.