Hi. I think all your points have been discussed and debated at length on here across various threads over the past four years, but I'll have a go at summarising!
Brexit has proved to be at the core of political discussion on here since the issue was first raised four years ago. Few expected a 'Leave' vote, and progress towards a workable Leave deal with the EU proved torturous and divisive.
Farage and UKIP latched on to feelings of disquiet amongst people in once 'safe' Labour seats in our industrial and post-industrial heartlands. People felt betrayed by the traditional parties and considered their needs and wants were being ignored by them. At the same time, a surge in nationalism resulted in anti-EU sentiment and the feeling that Britain could benefit from leaving the bloc.
The rise of a more extreme Labour party backed by hard core Momentum and willingly led by Corbyn alienated many traditional Labour voters, particularly those who favoured Brexit and looked for leadership towards leaving the EU. Corbyn did not provide this, and Johnson (not historically a Leaver) was clever enough to pick a slogan ('Let's get Brexit done') that appealed to many. Traditional political allegiances had changed.
So, come last Thursday, a mix of mistrust of Corbyn's brand of politics and Johnson's repetition of his Brexit mantra led to a Tory landslide. A Tory victory was not unexpected, but its scale was astounding.
(For reference, I am left of centre in my politics, but in no way an extremist, and voted 'Remain'. Hope the above is rational and unbiased though).
www.independent.co.uk
