1992 all over again?

Well, this blog got it wrong, big time. My only comfort is, so did all the experts and pollsters too, until that last exit poll. I suspect that Balls' defeat late in the day is an indication that it was Labour's economic record that did it. If that is true the Conservative campaign strategy proved right in the end. One point that should not escape us is that this will be a blow to the SNP who will have little leverage in the new House of Commons. Sturgeon made a huge play of keeping the Tories out, but her partner, Labour, failed her. Another reason for the Scots to dislike Labour. That said, a new devolution, possibly federal, settlement is now required. Will the Conservatives seize the opportunity to create an English Parliament and keep Labour out for the foreseeable future? There are several uncanny similarities to 1992. Small majority, the eurosceptics still threatening the government from the right, Labour needing to find a new leader and re-invent itself, the Scottish problem looming again and a crisis over Europe. I am not going to speculate on the Labour leadership after calling the election wrong, except to say the potential field looks very thin, nor can I guess what the Lib Dems will do. So here we go for probably five years (surely the UK will vote to stay in the EU and Ukip will wither away?!) and let's watch out for child benefit changes despite the loose pledges to the contrary.