Leavers have put their trust in Johnson. But can he really repay it? | Rafael Behr

The new breed of Tory voters will have economic, social and cultural expectations that the party is ill-equipped to provide

The voters who appear to have propelled Boris Johnson back into Downing Street have not so much endorsed the Conservative party as conjured up a new party to wear the old Tory colours. There are plenty more results to come in, but the capture of Blyth Valley, Workington and Darlington by candidates in a blue rosette might well stand out as emblematic moments at the start of a grim night for Labour.

The Northumberland seat has been off limits for Conservative challengers for generations. It was protected by a 7,915 majority, yet that electoral barricade fell. Notably, the Brexit party candidate took another 3,394 votes, suggesting a voracious enough local appetite for leaving the EU to elect Johnson’s man, and have a few loose ballot papers for squandering on Nigel Farage’s also-ran candidate.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2EboVem