And after the elections....

The local elections have been way better than anyone could have expected, and could be even better if Boris eventually wins in London.

Two things are clear

1) This was an anti-Brown protest as much as a ringing endorsement of the Tories. If Labour sort out their difficulties many of the votes garnered could be lost back.

2) The electors are looking kindly on the Tories again, but are not yet fully ready to commit.

Much depends on what NuLabour do. There will be a period of turmoil, with Blairites ,10p and 42 hour rebels and holders of marginal seats rocking the boat as Brown seems to be a dead duck. How this will all evolve, who can say? A number of possibilities arise, from complete implosion of NuLabour, revival of old (unelectable) Labour, to reinstatement of discipline and head banging by Brown, or more likely by someone else.

In the meantime the Conservatives must deal with the complaint that they are policy light, by producing a string of fully costed policies, practical and well thought out. The Conservatives will need self discipline of their own, and must solve the problem of leadership at times at odds with many activists. The policies must be such that all can unite behind them.

At the same time, Conservatives must build up their organisation in areas, such as the North, where we have been very weak for some years. We must give Labour and Libdems a run for their money at by-elections, beginning with Gwyneth Dunwoody's seat in a few weeks time.

There is a sense that if the Conservatives can put their own house in order, what Labour may or may not do is irrelevant. They have presence now, they will have a fairer electoral map, they have 290 extra councillors, and they have an electorate willing to listen. They may never have such a good opportunity.