A catastrophic election defeat could lead to the parliamentary Conservative party tilting towards the populist right, Guardian analysis has indicated.
A projection of the seats the Conservatives would retain if there was a further two percentage point swing to Labour before election day, using data from Electoral Calculus, shows that about 40% of the remaining MPs would come from this wing of the party.
In less calamitous defeats – scenarios based on current polling levels, and on a situation where there is a two percentage point swing in favour of the Tories – the proportion would be nearer to 30%, roughly where it is now.
Assuming the Tories go full nasty party mode that might keep them a few strongholds. However I suspect the challenge to Labour will be from the left who will claim the centerists Labour of Stamer are not left wing enough making it harder and harder to maintain a majority for successive terms. Eventually a Cameron like figure will have to start another detoxifying process to pull the Tories back to the centre when they are bored of not getting power.