What makes the Conservatives’ local election success all the more extraordinary is the fact it is usually the opposition – not the governing party – that makes gains.
Despite holding power at Westminster, voters backed them across the country yesterday including in some surprise areas.
And in so doing – choosing the Tories over Ukip in Leave strongholds – they indirectly endorsed Theresa May’s approach to Brexit.
Of course the victories won’t all necessarily translate into parliamentary seats next month.
But the results, which come after several polls indicating a big Tory lead over Labour in general election terms, will surely give the prime minister a big boost.
She will no doubt caution against complacency but the Conservatives look on track to hugely increase their majority on June 8.
In turn, Mrs May would get the personal mandate she has been lacking thus far.
It is widely expected that the SNP will still be the overwhelmingly dominant party north of the border come the morning of June 9.
But the nationalists will “have to do something” – as Alex Salmond put it – to try to keep the Tories in check in Aberdeenshire and the north-east in five week’s time.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Moray and Banff and Buchan – where support for Brexit was and is strong – feature high on the Conservatives’ Scottish target list.
In contrast, it was a discouraging night for Labour, which lost overall control of Glasgow City Council as well as large numbers of seats elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats – hoping to do well in Remain-Voting areas in the general election – did not enjoy the revival some had predicted in places like the south-west of England.
