As much as it pains me to admit this, Tony Blair’s plans for immigration are far better and more considered than Michael Howard’s, on which I have previously commented.

Far more distressing, however, is that a Times/Populus poll to be published tomorrow will, according to my sources, show that Labour has a nine point lead over the Conservatives. This is terrible news. If Labour maintain their huge majority, then it will doubtless be bad for the country. But perhaps the poll will reveal some more heartening news about the relative positions of the parties, with the Lib Dems perhaps taking up some of the slack. It’s probably best not to comment until the results are published. But when they are, I will.