A One Horse Race?

Photo: By Goki

Like most people I was caught by surprise by the announcement that there will be a general election on the 8th June but acted quickly to book the following day off work so I will be able to stay up most of the night and watch the result. 

Theresa May has obviously been carefully considering her options with both her party and herself riding high in the polls. There is no opposition to speak of and the Conservative vote is nigh on double that of Labour. One poll in The Times put Labour as low as just 23% today, and remember polls usually underestimate support for the Tories.

The Independent on-line newspaper even indicated the majority of Labour voters prefer May to Corbyn as Prime Minister which should worry the Labour Party considerably.

There will be some indications of the way things are going when the local elections take place next month but for obvious reasons the Gorton by-election has been cancelled. Only George Galloway's ego will damaged by that as he will (thankfully) disappear into total irrelevance in a general election as he has no Respect Party anymore. It's disbanded.

Whatever the reason May has decided to hold this election it's obvious she wishes to establish a majority government under her stewardship and get her own mandate.

Labour will lose quite a number of seats, that's inevitable. The party is divided and has been at war with itself for nigh on 18 months and is not seen as a viable alternative even amongst many of it's traditional supporters. Corbyn is a major part of the problem. Nobody in their right mind would want him as Prime Minister.

The Liberals may well revive to a small extent though how many extra seats they gain is far more difficult to tell as their strength is so diluted around the country. It doesn't help with Tim Fallon saying voting Liberal Democrat will help stop a Tory majority. People remember the coalition government mate.

UKIP are a spent force and are now led by a "Walter Mitty" character trusted by no one. The SNP will retain Scotland and ensure no Labour revival there.

There is no opposition. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a Thatcher style majority. Not something I'd want to see again but looks inevitable.

I live in a safe Tory seat so my own vote won't make much of a difference anyway. Even so I will vote but the question is who for? I don't want Corbyn or a left Labour Party either. Pity there wasn't something new, something more mainstream, but it's too late now we're stuck with what we've got.

I fear for the future.