BARRING the greatest political upset in history or the worst polling mistake ever, this will be the last Worst of Westminster you read written under a Conservative government for quite some time.
By next week, I’ll be back in London reporting on the first days of a new Labour government after a two-week sojourn in Scotland for the election.
There is nothing like interacting with the great Scottish public to bring you in touch with reality, away from the tedious spin of political robots and the bag carriers of Westminster – and Holyrood for that matter.
What I’ve heard from Cumbernauld to Kirkcaldy has been necessary medicine. Bitter, but necessary. It’s tempting when politics is your everyday to think that everyone cares about politics.
They do not. The great recurring theme of this election is apathy. Many people I’ve spoken to say they are not voting on July 4, more say they’ve not yet made up their minds.
We’re frequently told of the great political awakening that happened in Scotland after the 2014 referendum.
READ MORE: Scottish Tories record 'lowest ever' figure in election polling
Our refusenik or undecided electorate was not always this way. In 2019, SNP voters carried genuine enthusiasm for the prospect of independence or stopping Brexit.
Labour’s backers believed in the world view espoused by Jeremy Corbyn. Tories wanted to Get Brexit Done.
"I used to be SNP but now I’m not sure." "I used to be Labour but I think they lost their way." "I used to vote Tory but they’ve lost the plot."
Telling someone you’re genuinely relishing this election would be like being an adult with a passion for collecting children’s toys. Being regarded as eccentric would be charitable.
Stating that you really believed your vote could make a difference would be like admitting to being a Scientologist.
READ MORE: Stephen Kerr 'lost the rag' with hustings audience for 'staring at me'
Voters throughout the land speak about the election like a foregone conclusion – they don’t seem to believe they really have a say.
It’s hard to blame them. In the last decade, Scots will by July 4 have been called out for four General Elections, two referendums, two Scottish Parliament elections and two rounds of council elections.
The results? The Union, Brexit, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, lockdown parties, stop the boats, Rwanda, the hostile environment. It’s not hard to see why people are scunnered.
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar says Labour candidate lied with claim party 'helped Tories'
Not to get this publication drawn into the grubby Westminster gambling scandal, but I’d be willing to bet you that turnout won’t break 60% at this election.
But if you’re looking for something, anything to look forward to, please do consider the number of Tory MPs who are going to very suddenly find themselves out of a job next Friday.
Get yourself a bottle of champagne marked “Jonathan Gullis, Stoke-on-Trent North”. What comes next is a worry for later.
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