Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

Imagine you are a local Tory - it is May 1st and after years of hurt and pain you see that the party nationally is on the up and locally it has won seats and is going to be the official opposition in Wigan with 14 seats.The leader of the party is articulate and is an effective opposition leader - unlike the last one whose only memorable phrase was ' it's a disgrace' And what a coup for David Cameron - he will be able to boast that the Conservative Party is the official opposition in of all places Wigan

and then - four members of the Party defect to form the Independent Conservative group which means that you are not going to be the official opposition any more.

Bummer