With the Government in place, Parliament in recess, and three pieces of good news already to hand (Rwanda, Bibby Stockholm, Stonehenge) an election overview can be attempted. 

The issue of July 11 makes it clear that our part of the world retains enough consistent voters to ensure that it stays Conservative. It is these voters "wot done it." 

My one surprise came from the Isle of Wight, which is now two constituencies; West returned a Labour MP - possibly the first the Island has ever had - and unseated a well-known Conservative. 

It is not surprising to see Mr Glen in a shadowing role; in the parliamentary party as is stands at present, his experience will be valued.

We are sure to hear more of him, on national as well as local media. 

Electoral reform will be aired once again, not this time by the Liberals, who have not been so well represented for about a century, but very likely by Reform themselves.

With respect to Sir Desmond (New Forest West) I would urge the Tories to tread very carefully around Mr Farage as far as possible; attention is what he thrives on. 

That said, Reform's national share of the vote cannot be ignored.

Mr Malin's candidacy here was of interest because he remains in professional contact with the age-group which, we are told, is losing interest in voting at all. 

Richard Merwood 

Wain-A-Long

Salisbury

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