Slept Latenight, Waiting for Portillo's Opened
Reliving the 'Portillo Moment': The Unforgettable 1997 Election
On May 1st, 1997, history was made as the 18-year Tory rule came to an end, ushering in a landslide Labour government under Tony Blair. That day, I found myself engrossed in the election frenzy, canvassing in a marginal seat near Croydon.
The atmosphere was electric, palpable. It was a feeling I'd never encountered during political campaigns before. I was proudly wearing a red rosette, knocking on doors, and handing out leaflets. This was different, unique. People were cheerful, support was overwhelming, even the dead seemed to have cast their votes for Labour.
The enthusiasm for Labour was contagious, evident in the numbers of volunteers; we were hundreds, squished together, jubilant with the scent of victory. I had a brief encounter with a woman who claimed to work with Armando Iannucci, the mastermind behind 'The Day Today'. I was thrilled, eager to know more about working with him. "He's a bit of a c***," she said matter-of-factly. Before I could delve deeper, I was pulled away. "Terrence, could you walk up and down that cul-de-sac? Everyone's voted, but we want to appear busy."
As the night wore on, I stayed up until 4:00 am, captivated by the election coverage. The projections were thrilling; even my hometown, once considered a Tory stronghold, had swung to Labour. The nail-biting suspense continued as exit polling indicated that one of the Conservative party's giants was in jeopardy.
And then, just after 4:00 am, the TV coverage switched to Enfield Southgate, Michael Portillo's constituency. Portillo, who became the face of the Conservative government's harsh policies towards single mothers and the working poor, lost his seat with an 18% swing. This stunning defeat marked the downfall of a man who was once considered a potential future leader of the Conservative Party.
In the days that followed, 'The Portillo Moment' became a term used to symbolize the end of the conservative government's reign. I wore my 'I was there' T-shirt proudly, if briefly, as political T-shirts tend to age quickly. However, it's still there, waiting in my wardrobe for another wicked witch of the right to fall. I dusted it off when Theresa May resigned and when Dominic Cummings was dismissed, and it's there, clean and pressed, ready for Boris Johnson's eventual downfall.
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The 'Portillo Moment' marks the shocking defeat of Michael Portillo, a prominent Conservative politician, during the 1997 UK General Election. This event symbolized the end of the Conservative government's 18-year rule. Michael Portillo, born in 1953, served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1984 to 2005 and was known for his strong conservative views. After his political career, he worked as a television presenter and journalist.
The 1997 General Election results, which saw the downfall of the Conservative government, were deeply influenced by the sudden shift in political policies and legislation.Following the 'Portillo Moment', the drama of British politics unfolded on various social media platforms, making general news headlines around the world.
