“Here’s why it was a good night for Rishi Sunak despite the Tories losing X councillors”

How long will it be before the Guardian runs an article by Dr Frances Ryan that blames Keir Starmer for Rishi Sunak and the Tories’ war on people with mental health conditions? I’d give it 48 hours.

Just got my April payslip. Yes, National Insurance is down but I’m paying more in tax overall. As I got a pay increase, and the personal allowance is frozen, the resulting rise in income tax has more than cancelled out the cut in NI. #torystealthtax

People don't choose to be on disability benefits. It's their last resort.

Stop blaming people with mental health problems. If the Secretary of State wants a grown-up conversation about this, then he should meet with us.

We've sent an invite. 1/3

Contrast this with the Tories’ view that depression costs too much money so the problem, and underlying causes, should be ignored as if they don’t exist.

One point that came up in focus groups (conducted with 2019 Tory voters) alongside the polling was most weren't currently moved by the Rayner story & some were actively cross about criticism they felt unfair & would compare smaller amounts she may owe with e.g PPE spending.

Interesting spinning by Tory Laura: making it seem that Labour are on the defensive regarding the Poulter defection. Bizarre!

‘Sunak’s best week’ said the political journalists and commentators.

A bit odd to see Laura quote herself.

Like a desperate ex who wants to make it up to you ‘one last time’

Tory MP defects to Labour.

Tory headbangers’ reaction, “I’VE NEVER HEARD OF YOU SO IT DOESN’T COUNT.”

Dan Hodges inevitable reaction, “this is a serious problem for Keir Starmer and a major win for Rishi Sunak.”

Corbynistas complaining that Labour under Starmer is motivating former Tories to vote for it. And some even becoming members of the party.

And yet they still wonder why in 2019 we suffered our worst general election defeat since 1935.

A bit odd to see Laura quote herself.

Right, let’s talk about Dr Daniel Poulter MP’s defection from the Conservatives to The Labour Party with a slight bit more detail.

This very sudden (but clearly very planned) defection definitely isn’t just a blip on the old political radar; it’s a resounding gong of doom for Rishi

‘Sunak’s best week’ said the political journalists and commentators.

My theory is that these ‘rumours’ were planted by those loyal to Sunak to give Tory MPs the shits and stop them from going on manoeuvres before a likely push for a confidence vote after the local elections.

1/ Call Norris McWhirter – record-breakers in this week’s poll ... A Labour surge sees their lead rise by 5 to 22 over the Conservatives, as Reform equals its highest ever vote share.

🔴 Lab 44% (+1)
🔵 Con 22% (-4)
⚪ Ref 13% (+2)
🟠 LD 9% (NC)
🟢 Green 6% (-1)
🟡 SNP 3% (+1)