Reform are currently polling at around 9%. The party retaining such support at the General Election let alone reaching the 13% that UKIP won at the 2015 general election, is far from guaranteed. Ben Habib's claim that there could be 12 Reform MPs is pie in the sky.

I am far from convinced that Nigel Farage will play a prominent role for Reform but he might of course provide support without a shoulder to the wheel.

Yes, Reform needs a lot of momentum to get to where it wants.

We live in strange times, and I would not like to predict how many people will take a gamble and reject the main parties. All I can say is that never in my lifetime have we had two main party leaders and their policies that were less appealing to the electorate.

Parliament should reflect the mood of the people far more, and I don't see any way forward without a rocket up the backside of the two party system.

The 'Mood music' of course points to a comprehensive Labour victory based on poll ratings, however around the world there have been instances where the clear favourite has been defeated after their poll lead disappeared in the weeks leading up to a General Election.

Public opinion can change in the full glare of an election campaign.

Yup, but would that be the consequence of a fickle voting public following the shiniest ad campaign (always Tory), or a largely blue voting public returning to their dogmatic norms?

What have you got to be proud about the clown-car that is the current Tory party?

I wouldn't count on it if the Libs target that seat.

Liam Fox has been the MP of my constituency for a very long time, but I imagine he is very nervous. Many (including mine) of the local authorities went Lib Dem last election.

As you say, anything could happen between now and then. Thus, the Tories are claiming credit for the fall in inflation (caused by world fuel prices over which they have no control) and the fall in boat people (caused by successive storms...) and I suspect the public may be duped by these assertions and a few will trickle back. However, they will not be enough.

What will cause the Tories to cling on or collapse is (I am now guessing) the NHS. If they had any sense, they would settle all labour disputes as soon as possible, launch a disingenuous scheme to build more hospitals, and hold the elections in the summer when hospital corridors are not chocker with dying patients.