Rishi Sunak is more popular than his party. As a result, the question was always whether the Prime Minister would pull the Conservatives up to his level, or be dragged down to theirs? It is too soon to tell.
In recent weeks, it appeared that the Tories might be gaining ground, reducing Labour leads from 25 percentage points to 15 in one poll. But the latest Ipsos poll for the Standard shows the Tories 23 points behind the Opposition, with two-thirds believing it is time for a change.
There is good news for Sunak. He has returned to neck-and-neck with Sir Keir Starmer as the “most capable Prime Minister” following policy successes, from the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland to the recent Budget.
Meanwhile, there are some awkward questions for Starmer, with the proportion who disagree he is ready to be prime minister rising to 40 per cent.
Next month’s local elections therefore represent an important moment for both party leaders, and a stress test for the polls. Significant Labour gains would add to the sense that the party is in prime position to form the next government. A strong Tory showing would add real weight to the narrative that Sunak can lead a revival.
Both parties can be in no doubt — the next general election is all to play for.
Trump not going away
It would be tempting to believe that today represents the start of justice catching up with Donald Trump. That may end up being mere wishful thinking.
Later on, the Secret Service will escort the former president from Trump Tower in New York to lower Manhattan to be fingerprinted and hear the charges against him, before he is expected to plead not guilty. It will also be the first time Mr Trump will learn the precise details of the criminal charges, which result from hush money payments allegedly made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016.
There are signs that Mr Trump is exploiting the case politically. He has extended his lead in the Republican primary and raised millions of dollars for his campaign.
With no guarantee that either court cases or his Republican opponents will prevent Mr Trump from winning the nomination, it might fall to President Biden again to try and block his path to the White House.
Liquid rule lifted
Modern air travel raises some unexpectedly metaphysical questions. For example, is marmalade a liquid or a solid? What about peanut butter?
These — as well as the tiny plastic bags — have been consigned to the past, at least at London City Airport, which has scrapped the 100ml liquid rule thanks to the installation of new CT scanners which produce a high-resolution 3D scan of passengers’ luggage.
Travellers can now carry up to two litres in their hand baggage, enough preserves to last an entire Easter holiday.
