Speaking as a Conservative, the next election is ours to lose. If it means holding our noses... then so be it. Every Conservative has a duty to knuckle down and follow our leader. If we do that, there is every chance that come 2020, the United Kingdom (and it will still be united) will be prosperous and free

It is often said that voter turnout is highly dependent on a closely fought election at which a lot is at stake. A global economic crisis, declining living standards, and an unpopular coalition government surely provide the essential ingredients for a high participation general election in 2015? But the latest results from the Hansard Society's 10th Audit of Political Engagement suggest the contrary.

I never thought I'd say this, but I think the rise of Ukip is overall a very positive development in British politics. Why? Because the British people see in Mr Farage a person who understands them. In Ukip they see a movement that stands apart from the fossils in Westminster. And for the first time since 1997 when Blair swept into power, there is a sense that things could be different...The problem is that the political parties that dominate British politics all end up saying roughly the same thing. There might be rhetorical differences, but ultimately they are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Ultimately, this was a re-endorsement of Plan A. "Britain is on the right track, we would be mad to turn back now", the Chancellor told the Commons with rapturous support from his backbenches and the customary shaking of heads across the aisle.

History, we are told, is always repeating itself - and it feels to me like we're currently in an early '80s-lite period, at least in politics.

Ever since Cameron won the party leadership over David Davis in 2005, he has tried vigorously to press home the point that in the eyes of so many people across the United Kingdom The Tory Party was the symbol of Mass Unemployment, Disregard for the vulnerable and strained relationships with ethnic minorities.

If they are to govern lone after the next election, the Conservative Party will need to take a leaf from John Howard's book and consider ways to appeal to the British 'battlers' and aspirational blue collar voters.

With at least one eye on their PR department, bookmakers William Hill have cut their odds on Deputy Prime Minister and LibDem leader Nick Clegg leavin...