Peter Hoskin

As the polls open, a topsy-turvy campaign closes

Now’s the time, dear CoffeeHouser. After nearly three years in Number Ten, Gordon Brown is finally subjecting himself to the wishes of the British public. And, signs are, he won’t like what they’ve got to say. Putting the strong possibility of a hung parliament aside, last night’s opinion polls had Labour on or around Michael Foot levels of support.

A few folk, like Marbury, have observed that it’s almost like the campaign didn’t happen. And they’re right: there is a peculiar symmetry to the electoral calculus. After all the mood shifts of the past four weeks, we’re back broadly where we started: with the Tories looking to gain either a small majority, or be the largest party in a hung parliament.

But it’s worth remarking on some of the changes which have stuck. After what has been, on the whole, a dreadful Labour campaign, Gordon Brown has killed almost any hope he may have had of remaining Labour leader after tomorrow. And some of his colleagues – like Ed Balls and Peter Mandelson – have been damaged by association. Elsewhere, the Lib Dem’s upwardly mobile campaign has rebalanced the power relationship between Nick Clegg and Vince Cable – and, one assumes, made sure that the men in yellow aren’t underestimated again. Reputations have been soured, lost and gained.       

Unlock unlimited access, free for a month

then subscribe from as little as £1 a week after that
SUBSCRIBE

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in