The sketch writers love it when a political party feels really brave and decides to head for Blackpool.  Today its Matthew Engel's turn to rubbish the ailing resort ('Star turns fail to dispel general air of tat and decline').  There will no doubt be others in the week ahead.

However, If you read the Telegraph today things are going gloriously.

The leader column is full of positive statements - "There is ammunition a-plenty to campaign with here, whenever the election is called" it says.  "[David Cameron] is emerging as a strong leader under pressure." Followed up by the understatement of the year - "The prospect of an early election is clearly concentrating Tory minds wonderfully." ('A welcome flash of fire from the Conservatives')

However, for those less convinced that Cameron is on his way to Downing Street,  Tim Hames seems to be more on the money.  He writes today

"it is not as bad as it looks for the Tories. It is substantially worse." ('The road to Blackpool, via Punxsutawney')

Hames' diagnosis is convincing and worth reading in detail.

Time will tell whether it is he, or The Telegraph give a more accurate picture of Tory fortunes in the weeks ahead.

However, the most intriguing piece of the day is the John Bercow in The Independent ('A retreat to old comfort zones would spell failure').  In it he sets out his vision of what the Tories need to do over the next week .  He urges Cameron to go further and faster. 

Specifically, he says he is looking for Cameron to :

• reject tax cuts;
• continue to reject Grammar schools
• reject id cards
• invest in rehabilitation, rather than longer sentences for prisoners and (amazingly)
• raise the minimum wage.

This is quite a tall order - especially when he adds near the end "At our best, Conservatives are internationalists".

In today's big tent politics it would not be surprising if Bercow's piece was actually a prelude to the much vaunted Bercow defection. 

Brown's ideal start to his first General Election as PM is surely another Tory defector joining his ranks.