This election heralds the death of the Thatcher-Blair era. A new populist right will take its place

The elections that Rishi Sunak has now called will almost certainly have a decisive result, but will not represent a real change in British politics. Rather, it is the last stand of an order that is disappearing, under increasing attacks from both sides of the new political spectrum.

Unless a miracle occurs, the Conservative Party will suffer a catastrophic and crushing defeat. The betting market is currently buzzing on whether they will do worse than their previous low of 156 seats (out of 670) in 1906. Serious money is being bet that they will get fewer than 100 seats.

The ...