Well done Boris. Pull your socks up Cameron.

Now that the local elections are over, we can see that the Coalition got a drubbing and Boris' popularity/Ken's unpopularity gave the Tories their only real victory. I think Boris' victory is a good thing. I'd like him to have a few more ideas, but generally the ideas are better and more believable than Ken's. Mr Johnson is a different figure from 4 years ago. He is more serious now although still has the possibility to entertain. It was a shame that Mr Livingstone could not be gracious in defeat, but hopefully we have seen the last of him now! The overall local results were bad for the Coalition partners. I don't think it was a platform for Labour victory and the situation is recoverable for the Government. It certainly looks worse for the Lib Dems as their local base is becoming ever more diminished. I don't think they will be decimated though and can recover in future elections. The Tories don't look too bad on 31% of the projected national vote, given the austerity measures and the recent bad months. But, the Tories only succeed in Government if they look competent and the last few months has shown them wanting. I think, again, this is recoverable and they have not had another ERM moment. The Tories do need to get on top of the competence issue, though, and not make silly mistakes (such as the date of Abu Qatada's last possible appeal). A change of political weather can happen, Boris' election, a Hollande victory quickly turning to French economic disaster, the GDP figures being revised up and future growth can do it. At the moment, it has been raining too much on the Coalition but Labour does not have a decent rival offering and their progress is a sign of dissatisfaction. So Cameron, don't rush to the right but cut down the silly mistakes, and be seen to be straining everything for growth within your austerity plans and it could come good. Squiffy.