Indeed - the scale of the challenge at the GE is now clear; the strategy to mop up UKIP voters by appealing to their baser instincts has been successful, and if anything good comes out of this, it's that UKIP is now a spent force in UK politics - although I expect they'll still get their regular seat on the QT panel.

Labour have a lot to do to convince Tory voting working class folk that May and co will not represent their interests in any way shape or form; and potentially to mobilise young people, who tend to be Labour supporters, but don't actually vote. Interesting 6 weeks ahead!

New rules around voter registration make it less likely the youth vote will play a significant part in the election. The Conservative Party have moved further to the right and will thus attract a lot of UKIP voters, they’ve effectively adopted UKIP policy. No point to UKIP now.

As for Labour I was intending to vote for them tactically in spite of the current leadership due to a particularly local issue to me. I’m hardly enthused. The Lib Dems aren’t going to attract much in the way of support from disaffected Labour supporters as their performance in government is still fresh in minds, though some may hold their noses and vote tactically. I suspect many will stay at home or vote Green.

The issue for Labour is the leadership - with Corbyn fronting the campaign they are dead in the water - they have released all the good stuff e.g. 10k more police, higher education spend, repeal union legislation etc. Its down hill from here to obliteration.

Burnham is just biding his time

Isn't Burnham Mayor of Manchester or something?

How long will it be before the Tories commit to the "triple lock" on pensions?

It's obviously a vote winner with the "never had it so good's", but it's costing the country mega bucks. Are they confident enough to win without a substantial chunk of the grey vote?

It's all a bit deja vu for me t.b.h, replace Foot with Corbyn, Thatcher with May & Currie with Rudd - hey presto, back to the eighties.

He's the Labour nominee for Manchester. He's the favourite so if he wins he'll not be in the frame to be Labour leader any time soon.

As soon as the party coming knocking he is going to go running

He is a very credible candidate and would make a really good leader

My thoughts exactly - depressing isn't it?

The Greens are waiting to see who Labour & the Libs put forward before deciding whether to go for combined opposition to Hopkins. It will be dependent on them agreeing to a few core policies - such as anti-incinerator, PR.

Clive Lewis would be my pick for the next Labour leader. He's almost a PR dream.
I don't think Corbyn will win, but I do think he'll do better than expected, and that will help lay the ground work for Labour to fight the next election

Almost incredible that a party that has been slashing and burning public services, could be so popular.
It's not often that the ruling party gains seat's at either local or national elections.

Unfortunately, it say more for about the lack of decent opposition.

UKIP's game is well and truly over, although, they achieved what the party set our to achieve.
The Lib - dems looks like a busted flush, having not used their one chance in power to make any meaningful changes of their own (their failure to implement free higher education must be haunting them now.
Labour are just not electable and until they find a way to appeal to the aspirational masses, they will be nothing more than a protest party.
Even the SNP look to have gone backwards.

We can all look forward to further cuts in social services, reductions in spending on education and May doing whatever she pleases, its all just depressing.

Corbyn will still believe he's the best person to lead a Labour revolution #deluded

It could all be distressingly depressing if you hadn't lived through the 80s & the Foot/Kinnock era when things seemed hopeless. You can only polish a turd for so long, then the knives will be out for May & the strong & stable leader will be gone. With a competent leader Labour will come back into that void.

If the Unions hadn't backed the wrong Milliband, Labour would still be a major force in UK politics.
Corbyn has alienated so many ordinary people, they may still have had some chance of winning but, the last 2 years have been dreadful.
As a cynic, it appeared that Labour were hoping for the Tories to implode over the EU but, they have done quite well in keeping their own divisions private.

Oh come on, the disillusion with Labour goes far beyond Corbyn - although he certainly exacerbates it. The thought of Corbyn at the helm and negotiating with the EU is terrifying. 3.5712890625:5