We are heading towards a 1997-type defeat unless we make fundamental and radical changes to our machinery and to our policies.
The International Development Secretary says “I’m sure we won’t” make that “mistake”, “but it is something a few of my colleagues are talking about”.
“If May signs up to this, I can’t see the point of the Conservative Party even existing. What’s it for?” the Brexit Party leader tells Ridge.
As their conference opens this weekend, they are pondering claims that his ratings north of the border are dismal – and how to respond.
This finding is extraordinary, but there are at least four reasons why it could be on the money – and is a reliable guide to the trend.
Amidst verbal and actual violence, it is tempting to seek to shut down, say, Farage or Lammy altogether. But politics without anger would be impossible – and undesirable.
One association, in a safe Home Counties constituency, has found the answer is almost half.
“Our leaders are happy to continue down the path of managed decline…we’re lions led by donkeys.”
His sacking is more evidence, were it needed, of the tensions that tear at the Tory coalition – and threaten to render it unsustainable.
New polling for Open Europe shows that the Tories have special reason to be wary of this consequence of a long extension.
All that passing May’s deal would do is lose the DUP, split the Party, boost Farage, and usher in an election. And the deal is bad in any event.