I think when BSB was packing his bags for sunny Scotland a few weeks back when a few others inc me said two years is a long time in politics
The Johnson of today struggles in an election campaign, the positivity, cheeriness, ‘boosterism’ etc has gone. I don’t think he’s the same since getting and nearly dying of Covid, add that to the various other issues since (mainly pandemic and Brexit related), sticking with a weak/loyal cabinet rather than a more competent/challenging one plus having a new kid, he just looks done. Some (a lot) of the recent decision making is just shambolic
Whether he gets ‘it’ back for when an elections called, who knows. without it, if Starmer holds middle ground he’s got a very good chance of beating Johnson ...or a Truss or Sunak.
Sunaks obviously bright, apparently extremely hard working but just not sure after 11 years of Tory government how he or Truss, who appears competent, sells another 4 years without someone like Corbyn opposite. As was highlighted in the Blair and Brown doc, there’s a natural negative pull on parties that have been in power for any length of time and post pandemic theres unlikely to be much economic good news pre election to counter that
As I say, who knows though...politics is funny one and Covid could still come up with some surprises that change the political landscape again