Well, I'm absolutely delighted
!!
A great win, especially given it's after 8 years of gov't already.
A mid 60s majority is excellent by any standards; the only thing it pales against is the preposterously outrageously stupendous performance we got in the last election.
So, 4 more years of strong economy, reduction in crime, low unemployment, rising standards of living, standing up to terrorists and dictators, ethical foreign policy, better employee rights, etc etc etc.
I think the Tories'll kid themselves that they did a good job - but they didn't. This time they benefited from the fragmentation of votes between Labour, LD, Green, and the various spin off 'old Labour' candidates who'll close ranks next time to make sure there's no chance of a Tory government.
Blair'll carry on for another 2 years before handing over to Gordon Brown, who'll hit the next election at the height of his honeymoon period.
In the meantime, who'll be Tory leader? A 'typical of the membership' right winger, to follow on from the tremendous successes achieved by other 'typical of the membership' right wingers like, errr, Hague, Duncan-Smith, and Howard? A pro-Europe left winger who won't be able to get the support of the grass roots party? A dull policy wonk that won't inspire anyone? There are a few human beings in the party that I'd potentially at least consider voting for, e.g. Rifkind, Clarke, but I honestly can't see them holding the party together to form an effective campaign.
The one thing I'm really disappointed in though is Bethnal Green. Standing against a Jewish woman and manipulating a strong misogynistic anti-semitic vote. Made my stomach turn.
Listening to Gorgeous talking about 'all the people [Blair] had killed' in Iraq was the most sick making. Perhaps if Blair had 'killed' a few hundred thousand more he would've qualified for an arse licking while Gorgeous raved over Blair's courage, strength, and indefatigability, and wet himself about how many Palestinian children were now being given the name 'Tony' at birth. Then again, the extreme right has historically done well in the East End .....