Prediction: Con 61, Lab 470, Lib Dem 71, SNP 15, Reform 7, Labour majority of 290

Our latest poll-of-polls shows Labour’s lead over the Conservatives back to 20pc, with Reform up 3pc, and the Lib Dems still with a chance of getting more seats than the Conservatives. Labour is now very likely to form the next government. – Electoral Calculus, July

It is now possible to dream of not only the Tories losing power but also of the Lib Dems forming the opposition.  

Think how progressive that combination might be?

Dream further: both of East Devon’s constituencies have Lib Dem members of parliament.

In this dream, our MPs would be members of a select band, not just cannon fodder for the voting lobby. 

Think what powerful voices they would have to hold the Government to account AND to promote the interests of this part of the country, neglected for so long by the Tories, and with newly elected Labour concentrating on the north/south divide and its industrial heartland.

Richard Foord has already shown, in two years, how much more effective he has been as a constituency MP (for Tiverton and Honiton) than Simon Jupp (for East Devon).

He also had the added prominence of holding a Lib Dem portfolio (Defence Spokesperson).

In contrast, Simon Jupp was a bag carrying PPS who, by convention, had to avoid criticising his government, in other words he was muzzled.