The mourning after

What to say? A few quick thoughts. Firstly, the electorate. They have given a mandate to a known, serial, mendacious liar. Surely, they chose to ignore that fact for whatever reason (well, actually Brexit) and in doing so they will have to keep their fingers crossed that anything he promised comes to pass. Most of it won’t come to pass, and the country will continue on its merry way towards the fan. So—since I’m no longer a politician, I feel I can openly contradict the received wisdom that 'The People are always right.’ They aren’t, and stupidity can be manifest just as much in a crowd as in an individual.
 
Secondly, following on from that, Johnson has been given a mandate to do whatever he likes. Since he brazenly lied so much, he now has a liar’s licence. Apart from Brexit, nobody expects anything from him (not least since he made few policy commitments that withstood scrutiny). He has a blank sheet of paper in front of him, and in the hands of such a feckless individual (he doesn't even know how many children he has) he will be prey to every passing fancy. That is, every Trumpian whim.
 
Thirdly, as for Labour, I regretfully say Tony Blair was right. He once told the Parliamentary Labour Party that to win elections we had to stand on Tory territory. Be Tory lite. This country doesn’t want a left wing government, and thinking about it, regardless of the anomaly of the Attlee government (exceptional circumstances) it never has. Those of us on the left would prefer to deny this, but the evidence is there for all to see. Even 'our own’ once solid supporters demonstrated this last night.
 
Fourthly, whilst Brexit was clearly the most significant factor in this election, it in itself as many people have said was only the consequence of cumulative factors, many of which stem from the new age of insecurity in which we live. Brexit or no, those factors still exist and will now be made worse (e.g. since Johnson will be swayed by Trump on climate change, much worse). Our country is in denial.
 
Fifthly, two positives from yesterday’s poll: the SNP have won a clear mandate for another independence referendum. In a way, Johnson’s victory is a dream come true for them, although he will resist giving in to this demand. There is going to be a constitutional showdown. If I lived in Scotland I would vote for independence. It might help little England to wake up to its true status. Secondly, most elections these days deliver a Portillo moment. We need something to smile about the day after a defeat, and this time Jo Swinson duly stepped up to the plate. Well done Jo, I’m sure you’ll soon land on your feet. But perhaps not in P.R.