The prevailing mood among parliamentary Labour members nowadays follows Edgar's law. It affirms that the magnitude of each adversity can only be assessed against yet-to-come catastrophes. As Shakespeare makes the outcast offspring of the blinded Earl of Gloucester say in the play: “The worst is absent, as long as we are able to utter ‘this represents the lowest point’.”
A Succession of Intensifying Problems
Per this principle, there is no opinion poll so gloomy about the government that won't be coming after another more depressing; no fiscal forecast so poor that the finance ministry cannot worsen via contradictory signals about levies; no misgivings concerning the Prime Minister that can't be amplified by malevolent briefing regarding a contest for leadership.
Asylum Policy Revelation
In that context, this week's declaration of measures that aim to limit the number of asylum seekers allowed into Britain, based upon a famously strict Scandinavian model, was received more favorably among party members than anticipated. There appeared glimmers of backbench anger but no conflagration of dissent.
Tightening asylum rules is not the government's preferred area, but the current system is obviously flawed and the public is enraged. Most MPs understand the position that acceptance and community cohesion are easier to cultivate if assurance exists that the country's boundaries remain protected.
Growing Discontent
Quiet backbenches may also represent ominous. MPs have learned that all matters are debatable under an aimless chief with flexible principles. Current proclamations may be unannounced tomorrow. There is no need to advance hastily if successes can be achieved by attrition.
A regular criticism concerns the Prime Minister is hardly managing the administration whatsoever, following the transfer of political judgment to his top aide. This doesn't imply the head of government misses managerial vigor, he just prefers to refrain from intervening in departmental disputes or undertake long debates.
Management Method
The Prime Minister entered organized political activity at an advanced stage, originally joining the legislature when he was fifty-two. He has no feel regarding party traditions – the canon of past debates, initiatives, figures and traditional touchstones which link a chief to the larger group and its perception of collective mission.
His most personal values are a mystery even to the cabinet. As one senior representative explains: “The Prime Minister is quite different as a prime minister by creating the perception that his individual beliefs remain personal matters.”
Governmental Outcomes
The product packaged representing the leader during the previous electoral contest has similarly not produced its claimed rewards: executive proficiency resulting in societal regeneration. If Britain still had a binary political arrangement, the memory of previous difficulties during Conservative rule might prolong acceptance of the administration.
It indicates a crushing loss for party representatives in municipal and devolved elections during the upcoming vote. It will be a time of great danger for the leader, if he endures until then.
Leadership Questions
Absent in these calculations appears unity concerning the individual of a replacement and how their programme may differ compared to present strategies. This defect regarding changeover preparations is referenced by supporters of the leader as one of many reasons to continue supporting the existing prime minister.
Although discontented representatives could hesitate regarding such cautions, they also hear through them the recognizable, empty ringing of low ambition that induces despair with current conditions. It signifies the tone of lack of success to describe the approach as anything more than a sequence of tactics for clinging on.
Ending Reflections
It is hard to inspire faithfulness toward such a purpose. The majority of representatives have tried. They have adhered to official positions, justified it to constituents, obeyed the whips, accepted guarantees that their issues received attention.
Regicide involves significant danger, however, does it present greater hazards compared to feigning that the current ruler has answers regarding major issues which he doesn't identify? Edgar's law invites caution regarding the replacement of a sitting prime minister. The successor may turn out poorer.
“The weight of this troubled period we have to accept; Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.”
