The over-representation of Scotland and Wales at Westminster will have to be addressed as devolution takes hold. In short, Blair and his successors have to mould a party capable of winning over English voters. That means, in effect, appealing more to the centre ground. Our technological age has not yet removed the need for old-style electoral campaigning. True, people whose physical location is of no relevance can do telephone canvassing.
Computers help identify key voters and bespoke leaflets make a targeted appeal.
But there is no substitute for the locally fought party campaign. The evidence is that electoral turnout is affected by the visibility of the electoral campaign. Without the posters in the windows, the placards in the gardens, electors have little clue that an election is taking place at all. Without people willing to spend their Saturday afternoons leafleting busy shoppers, local parties would remain invisible. Such activities are voluntary but there is a price to be paid by the leadership.