Triumph of the will

​Hemlock then ... It is not what I wanted, but with my grown-up hat on, it is probably the best outcome for the country – in the short term… The uncertainty was damaging the economy and everyone was fed up to the back teeth with hearing about what will now be, regrettably, a certainty. And taking that hat off for a moment, it was a clear victory for cynical deviousness, opportunism, sharp practice and downright lying over honest and decent liberal values. Enough; history will judge. 
 
One thing is very clear: the Conservatives have been in power for nine years, and look like extending that to 14. Whatever happens now to the economy, the NHS, education, those using food banks, the homeless and care for the elderly, will be four-square their responsibility.
 
There are some oddities in the figures though. The government have an overall majority of 80 seats – up from a hung parliament – with an increase in the number of votes of just 1.2%. And they have achieved this with less than 30% of the electoral vote. Odd that. On the other hand, the Lib Dems had an increase of 4.2% of their votes – more than any other party – but lost one seat, and on a percentage of votes cast – 11.5% – ought to have 75 seats; in fact, they have 11. So much for the oft-vaunted democracy.