Despite bleating hacks claiming that Labour Conference was a triumphant jubilant celebration compared to Sunak’s Manchester depresso-fest, swing voters polled by JL Partners don’t agree. They said that Starmer is “weak”, “drab” and “vanilla” when compared to Sunak, and that Tory Conference was a greater success. The only problem for the Tories – they all said they’d vote Labour…

The Times Radio-commissioned focus group results portray Starmer as a “nothing man” who stands for very little. The problem for Labour’s plan over the next 12 months is to what extent Starmer has to be kept quiet on policy. Tory spinners are hungry for more announcements from the opposition for that reason. Labour’s support may be wide but it isn’t deep…

Lord Ashcroft has set up focus groups in Somerton, Selby and Uxbridge ahead of Thursday’s by-elections, and the participants certainly haven’t held back. Voters had some harsh words for Rishi Sunak, who was described as a “lame duck”, with another saying he was “just kind of place-holding“. Respondents went even further with their criticisms of the “hot mess” that is the government. The government was also called “dishonest”, “ineffective”, “a circus”, “paralysed” and “a shambles”. And these characterisations all came from Tory voters…

Other responses looked somewhat more positive for the Conservatives’ electoral prospects. Voters had some sympathy for Boris Johnson, who was ousted in a “politically motivated” campaign, as they also often bought up local issues. These including planning and hospitals as crime, the ULEZ and, above all, Sadiq Khan got mentions in Uxbridge. Although Rishi got some flack, voters weren’t exactly enthused by “drab” Sir Keir either. They did think he was better than his predecessor though, as “Donald Duck would be an improvement on Corbyn.” One response stuck out to Guido, as the groups were asked one final question:

“Imagine Keir Starmer and the Labour team go on their summer holidays together. Is there anyone they would accidentally-on-purpose leave behind?”

The answer: “Jonathan Ashworth, because he’s incredibly annoying.”

Times Radio have conducted another focus group, and yet again, it makes unpleasant listening for Sir Keir. The panel of swing voters – including past supporters both parties – were asked their views on a range of issues. Whilst Rishi came off well, Starmer wasn’t so lucky. When asked to grade his leadership, the undecided voters responded: D, D, D, F, U, U ,U.

After the swing voters issued some scathing judgements of “Creep” Starmer, who another compared to an “irritating brother who just nit-picks”, Guido was also pleased to see a favourite nickname of Sir Keir resonate. “He’s known as Mr Hindsight of course”.

Later on, when voters were asked to give a message to Captain Hindsight, the characteristic cropped up again:

“Stop looking at everything in hindsight”.

Twitter was sent into a spiral this morning by headline responses from a focus group of swing voters, who were sympathetic towards the Home Secretary’s language on immigration.

Times Radio asked the voters about various issues, from policy to politicians, and the findings were certainly informative. If only to show that Twitter isn’t reality…

Here’s what they had to say when asked about Suella Braverman:

The voters were concerned with the volume of immigration, arguing that although people need to be looked after, Britain was at capacity and there needed to be a limit. One voter also took aim at the “do-gooders” criticising government policy. They then agreed that they trusted the Conservatives over Labour on the issue.

Sir Keir also came off worse for wear. Swing voters described him as “boring” and felt he simply wanted to attack the Tories, rather than setting out his own vision. Amongst the highlights of the groups’ messages to Starmer were to “get the charisma” and to “stop being so slimy”.

This is unfair. In his defence, Keir is more stodgy than slimy…