Poor judgment, U-turns... little wonder voters turned on May
THIS was supposed to be the safest gamble ever placed. When Theresa May went to the country, everyone agreed she could not lose.
The Conservatives were 20 points ahead in the polls, Labour was led by a weak and divisive leader, and the Prime Minister had the approval ratings usually enjoyed by a Communist dictator.
Now, we are heading for a hung parliament if – and it is a big if – the exit poll is correct.
Mrs May’s position is in doubt as rueful Conservatives wonder why they invested so much faith in someone with such poor judgment.
The errors were entirely self-enforced. The PM was cruising towards a coronation and crashed the state coach.
She portrayed herself as a strong and stable leader who then U-turned on the centrepiece of her manifesto.
WOBBLY
She called an election after repeatedly ruling one out and based her campaign on a hard Brexit she previously rejected. No wonder voters turned against her. The supposedly strong leader was rumbled as weak and wobbly.
Her plans to make people pay for social care and to means-test the winter fuel allowance alienated the elderly.
But the biggest misjudgment was to underestimate Jeremy Corbyn.
The Labour leader called on years of experience as an activist to run an energetic and enthusiastic campaign.
Where the Tories had nothing to offer but a leader with as much personality as a coat of paint, he presented the country with a surprisingly bold manifesto and the promise of hope.
His authenticity and resilience were rewarded by voters who had enough of trite slogans and false promises.
Anger which emerged in the EU referendum from communities left behind warmed to vows of secure jobs, a £10 living wage and renationalisation.
Most of all, he energised the young to turn out. Many younger voters who regretted not voting in the referendum will have made amends. If the exit poll is right, we are heading for horse trading and possibly a new Prime Minister.