How May and Corbyn are following the script

That rumbling you heard in recent weeks was a gathering stampede of election watchers declaring British prime minister Theresa May a woeful campaigner, uninspiring and incapable of projecting leadership. The Conservative manifesto was lacklustre, and May’s handling of Brexit left much to be desired. And – credit where it’s due – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s performance has pleasantly surprised. Who would have thought it possible that this divided opposition party, this accidental leader, a far-left backbench nobody, would be snapping at the heels of the incumbent? These judgements are purely, totally, driven by the opinion polls, which over the campaign have narrowed markedly. The polls come first, followed by the reasons, always.