The mainstream media narrative just got busted by actual election results. Again.
In fact even the national opinion polls seem out of step with what we’ve just seen in a series of by-election votes this week.
They include Reform continuing to making gains, including from Labour.
As for the Tories, who are still being desperately talked up by some journalists?
In four of the six local votes yesterday they scored 8%, 7%, 3% and 2%. They literally are ceasing to exist in swathes of the country.
The Tories did gain a seat from Reform in Suffolk - but were blown away everywhere else.
Meanwhile Labour held a seat in Hyndburn on 34%, with Reform second on 30%. Restore took 28%, resulting in a Labour victory.
But in the Staffordshire Moorlands, Reform gained a seat from Labour.
There was also another gain for Reform from Labour in North East Lincolnshire.
Whilst in Oldham, we saw a third gain for Reform from an Independent.
And finally in Hindley Green, in Andy Burnham’s constituency, Labour gained a seat from an Independent.
So despite media chatter of a Reform decline, the party is still making gains.
And in terms of the real electoral battle, most of these again were Labour vs. Reform.
This gives a fascinating insight into what is actually happening on the ground across the country.
Those writing off Reform do so at their peril.
It remains pretty clear that the next General Election will be a battle between Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage.
I'm disappointed that Reform and Restore are being childish about meeting to discuss working together on a we-fight-this-seat/you-fight-that-seat basis. Both little boys need to accept they will each have to give a little ground
I'd like to think that Reform's national newspaper helped with these results, it was a bit weak but put Reform in front of people who don't follow blogs and social media. The next one needs to be MUCH harder hitting and less Nigel, Nigel, Nigel...his grinning face was on 7 of the 8 pages, it's too much.