That Johnson’s recent visit was reported as though he were a Governor-General of Imperial India touring the North-West frontier is a bad sign.
These two MPs have not found, at the first attempt, the sort of language that will appeal to the unconverted. But nor did David Cameron.
As the SNP have a terrible night, the Tories post their best seat total north of the border since 1983.
Continuing our ConservativeHome series on the key contests in each region or nation.
Plus: shortlists for Middlesbrough South and Wakefield; and, new selections and nominations in key target seats across the country.