Who would have thought it a month ago but if the polls are to be believed, there is a chance of a progressive alliance forming the next Government. What an incredible turnaround that would be. It seems that the Tory message of more austerity and hard BREXIT is not proving as popular as their leaders thought. The staggering incompetence of May and her team has been exposed during the election campaign and the public mood has discernibly changed towards a more progressive politics. Whatever the final result, this campaign has been a triumph for progressives with, as Steve Richards writing in the Guardian reports, even the Tories moving left on issues such as tax, spending and regulation of the market.
Yet, as we know polls have got it wrong before and there are some suggestions that they consistently under report Tory voters who do not reveal publically their voting intentions because they feel ashamed to do so. If these closet Tories do come out and vote then the Tory majority may still be substantial and that would lead to five more years of economic turmoil, social hardship and rising inequality.
Yes, it is a remarkable turnaround but I’m not holding my breath for the very reasons you give Mark. It is intriguing though, as you say Corbyn seems to have shifted the terms of the debate from neoliberalism plain and simple to a more progressive stance by the Tories and mainstream politics in general.
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Yes indeed, and the turnaround has been remarkable. I was one of those who thought at the start that the Tories will romp home – now I’m not so sure. I think a much smaller majority is now more likely.
Corbyn has come across well in almost all instances except the Woman’s Hour interview. Looking at the Tory papers and their constant monstering of him, one is tempted think are they panicking a bit? May is abysmal. Never answering a question, evasive and looking anything but ‘strong and stable.’
In Salisbury of course the result is predictable but even here, I wonder if his majority will be reduced? Thursday will be interesting …
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