'Partygate was serious but now its done its time for action regarding the economy'

For a long time, Partygate has dominated the political discourse.

The fact the PM was caught and fined is a disgrace.

The Government’s strategy to tackle the fallout is quite easy: This is a sideshow, there are bigger fish to fry.

That’s nearly there. Evidence of serious wrongdoing is not a sideshow, but they are right – there are other things happening.

Inflation is soaring, energy prices are crippling households, food bills are going up every day.

We are not lurching into an economic crisis – we are plunging headlong.

It is only going to get worse.

But Partygate feels like something that is happening in Westminster. A long way from people’s everyday lives.

There are other issues – even more vital – that also fail to cut through.

Boris Johnson looks to have survived Partygate but now he must sort out the economy (Getty Images)

Hungry

The economy is different.

Every time we go to the supermarket we’re feeling the pinch.

Kids are going hungry. More working people than ever are using foodbanks.

Heating bills, in many cases, have doubled.

Families are facing price increases across the board (AFP via Getty Images)

The economy is going to be the central issue in all of our lives for the foreseeable.

In our pockets, at the checkout, at the petrol pumps.

It’s going to push struggling families further into desperation. It’s going to destroy the most vulnerable among us.

The Government has shown little resolve so far – resisting emergency budgets and a windfall tax on energy firms.

Our poll today shows 60% believe the economy will be the deciding factor at the next election.

By autumn – by summer – that figure will be much higher as the terrible reality sets in.