Sometimes, however, the game is up before the game is over. And last Thursday's local election results - a disaster for the Conservatives almost certainly marks the turning point beyond which it is difficult to see any return to winning ways for Rishi Sunak's party this side of a general election.
I write this as someone who has cautioned in the past against making too big a bet on Keir Starmer being our next prime minister. There remains, even after the council elections, a distinct lack of enthusiasm for Sir Keir as the best man to take over the reins at Number Ten.
But sometimes, when the tide turns in politics, there is no stopping it. And after last week's results were counted and it transpired that Labour had secured the largest lead over the Conservatives in local elections since the days of Tony Blair in 1997, it is very hard to see a change of direction before Britain must go to the polls to elect a new Government next year. He may be a bit lacking in sparky charisma, but Sir Keir is beginning to look ever more like a PM in waiting, and even some in the Tory Party are saying so.
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Denne historien er fra May 11, 2023-utgaven av The Herald.
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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
HATCH BENEFITS FROM THE MISFORTUNE OF TEAM-MATES
Randell relishing his new role for Pilgrims
MIDFIELDER IS LEARNING A LOT UNDER HEAD COACH ROONEY
McPhee delighted with the response of Parkway players
IT was the former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, who famously said that a week is a long time in politics.
Making a song and dance of it
JOAQUIN PHOENIX AND LADY GAGA UNITE FOR A JOKER SEQUEL WHICH DITCHES THE FIRST FILM'S BLOOD, GORE AND ACTION FOR A MORE MELODIC APPROACH
Historic 'house of pleasure' is to be restored
A GEORGIAN 'pleasure house' in the grounds of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is to undergo a restoration and revival.
Law change plan for assisted dying
PROPOSALS to change the law to give terminally ill people \"choice at the end of life\" are to be introduced in Parliament this month.
Jenrick claim blasted
SAS: Who Dares Wins star Mark \"Billy\" Billingham has said Robert Jenrick's claim that the special forces are \"killing rather than capturing\" terrorists is \"absolutely ridiculous\".
Israeli order to evacuate
THE Israeli military yesterday ordered the evacuation of villages and towns in southern Lebanon that are north of a United Nationsdeclared buffer zone established after the 2006 war.
Prison sentence for sex offender
INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN DISCOVERED
MP to join Warrior Women Walk
EVENT SUPPORTS DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS