A lot has been written since the sensational local election results but commentators and pundits have missed some major points. Local elections struggle to get a turnout greater than 25% while national elections score above 75%. We now know that people are responding positively to Nigel Farage, but can we be sure that Reform UK will do the business in a general election and face down a greater turnout, one which will inevitably include their detractors? And yet this does not mean the Conservatives or Labour should dismiss the results as an aberration.

Just like the European elections in 2019 sent a clear message and finally ousted the hapless Mrs May from Number 10 and cleared out of Parliament the anti-British, self-serving Remain phalanx, this latest election is a major warning. No longer will the electorate put up with the continued incompetence, virtue-signalling and self interest of the political class. No longer will they be ignored, especially as there is now a credible Parliamentary alternative. So, cold comfort for the establishment parties. What other comfort might they derive?

Excellent campaigner as Mr Farage is, this new era will test his and his party’s ability to govern and deliver. They are about to be tested in ways they’ve never endured before and they have at least three years to muck it up, or otherwise prove themselves competent. The incumbents must be hoping it is the former.

Another ray of hope for the Conservatives and Labour is the leadership of Reform. Both Messrs Farage and Tice have an overweening desire to destroy the Conservative Party and usurp Labour, but particularly the former. Revenge is a dish best served cold and they have demonstrated the patience of years.

The meal is now cold. However, a motive of revenge does not guarantee clear-thinking policy and operational delivery. They could trip themselves up.

Mr Farage is a superb campaigner but sustainable leadership involves taking people along on the journey. A Trumpian approach to having all policy and decisions deriving from one man may work, especially if well-informed, trusted and competent advisors help formulate those thoughts and expressions.

It is fraught with dangers. Even the blessed Margaret Thatcher, when isolated from her diminishing inner entourage stumbled. There is also the added risk of what we used to refer to in business as “smoking your own dope”, of believing your own propaganda.

Is this a pre-election scenario or one that defines post-election office?

Let me be clear, I wish Reform well, as indeed I would any party that believes in freedom of speech, the liberty of the individual, post-Brexit UK independence, capitalism, free markets and strong national security.

Immigration which makes British people wealthier not systematically poorer. An ability to control our own borders. Freedom from fear of crime. Energy security, a small state and low taxes.

The Conservatives may also find it in themselves to espouse these values, policies and directions of travel. We do not know yet and that is part of their problem.

What British business, in particular the 85% of businesses that are family-run, cannot contemplate is a second term of the current ruinous, catastrophic administration and it is up to the two parties who might provide an alternative to ensure this does not happen.

One or the other must prevail. And the pitfalls of Reform demonstrate that all is still to play for, but not for long. And it won’t be good enough for the Conservatives to hope that the potential pitfalls swallow Reform.

Steadily working at policy, the preferred approach of the Conservatives, is rather like counting the ammunition, rather than firing it, until they are overwhelmed by their more dynamic opponents.

The pitfalls of the Conservatives, meanwhile, are self-delusion, sloth, entitlement, vested self-interest and a lack of backbone. It may be that these are endemic and incurable, certainly Mr Farage would likely say that this is why the Conservatives deserve to pass away.

The sands of time are running out and only time will tell.

John Longworth is an entrepreneur and businessman, Chairman of the Independent Business Network of family businesses and a former MEP