The Tories took a battering in the local elections, losing even more seats than they feared, including nearly collapsing as a political force in London, as well as suffering a drubbing across the South. Has a cost-of-living crisis and a scandal-ridden Conservative government defined by deceit and corruption finally collided with electoral reality?

But there is little cheer for Labour here: outside of the capital, the party's support has fallen in England compared to 2018, and important wins - like Wandsworth and Westminster - have been eclipsed by losses elsewhere, leading to few net gains in England. Labour's strong showing in Wales is surely something for popular Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford to take the credit for. With Keir Starmer - who bet the house on partygate - now under police investigation, how much of a mess are both the Tories and Labour in?

We are joined by Britain's pre-eminent psephologist Sir John Curtice, and then journalist Paul Mason and Novara Media's Michael Walker to discuss the political situation.

Please subscribe - and help us offer an alternative media here: https://patreon.com/owenjones84

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-owen-jones-podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deck the Netflix - A California Christmas: City Lights (Netflix - 2021)