Brendan O'Neill: The true story of this election? Populism is here to stay

British voters are wriggling out of the straitjacket of elite consensus opinion. It is wonderful to witness.

There has been an earthquake in British politics, reporters say. Everyone from the Guardian to the Sun to CNN is reaching for the metaphor of shifting tectonic plates to describe Labour’s victory over the Tories in the General Election. And in a sense they’re right. The political ground has shaken. Rumblings have been felt. But it wasn’t drab, grey Labour that did it – it was the millions of voters who rejected both Labour and the Tories and in the process delivered one of the most devastating sucker punches to the political duopoly in decades.

Bob Jones: British Politics

It’s less than 2 years to the next scheduled British election. The Tories will be seeking a 5th consecutive win, something last achieved in 1832. That’s not a typo but factual, namely almost 200 years ago. Consequently, history and the odds are hugely against them.

Much will depend on the new Prime Minister. The current polling favourite is Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor. Despite the inevitable polling boost for a new leader, I don’t like the Tories chances with him. Personally, I’d love to have seen Priti Patel on the throne but she wouldn’t get selected and thus didn’t put her name forward. She’s a no-nonsense real tough cookie who I suspect has the 1975 Muldoon factor, namely she could pull Labour’s working class votes, particularly the men.