Polls Apart

Long-term readers will know that I am sceptical about opinion polls, which largely depend on the widespread popular misconception that their purpose is to measure public opinion rather than, as is in fact the case, to influence it.

But imagine if the polls had shown Labour ahead, mostly quite comfortably, throughout the period since David Miliband had become Leader. This morning's Today programme would certainly not have staged some ludicrous fake debate on the parlous condition of the Labour Party, between some old Blair tea boy and some old SDP hand who now irons Cameron's shirts.

Yet Labour has been ahead, mostly quite comfortably, throughout the period since Ed Miliband became Leader. The media's tantrum at having been denied their preferred torturer, whose only objection to the cuts is that they go neither far enough nor fast enough, shows no sign of toning down in the slightest.