The prevailing atmosphere among the party's representatives nowadays follows a Shakespearean principle. It declares that the magnitude of each adversity is only assessed in comparison to unforeseen calamities. As the playwright lets the exiled child of the visionless lord of Gloucester say in the play: “The direst is absent, provided that we can say ‘this represents the lowest point’.”
A Succession of Deepening Difficulties
As per this principle, you won't find any public opinion measure so dismal for Labour that won't be followed by one even bleaker; no budget prediction so terrible that the exchequer cannot worsen through contradictory signals on tax; no misgivings concerning the Prime Minister that cannot be intensified by malevolent briefing concerning a bid for power.
Asylum Policy Declaration
In that context, this week's revelation of strategies that aim to limit the number of refugees allowed into the United Kingdom, modelled on a notoriously mean Danish system, went down better with Labour MPs than anticipated. There appeared glimmers of parliamentary discontent yet no wildfire of dissent.
Tightening asylum rules is far from Labour's comfort zone, yet the existing framework is evidently broken and the public is enraged. Most MPs comprehend the argument that acceptance and social unity are easier to cultivate when there is confidence that the nation's borders remain protected.
Rising Unhappiness
Quiet backbenches might likewise signal foreboding. MPs have learned that each issue is discussable under an aimless chief with flexible principles. What is announced today may be unannounced tomorrow. There's no requirement to advance hastily if successes can be achieved by attrition.
A common complaint involves the leader is hardly managing the cabinet at all, having delegated policy decisions to his principal advisor. This doesn't imply the prime minister misses managerial vigor, he merely chooses to avoid arbitrating in departmental disputes or participate in extended discussions.
Governing Approach
The Prime Minister entered party politics during later professional life, initially becoming an MP at the age of 52. He misses understanding regarding party traditions – the canon of past debates, initiatives, figures and traditional touchstones which link a chief to the wider movement and its sense of collective mission.
His deepest convictions stay concealed including to ministers. As one senior representative explains: “Keir is highly unusual in his role in giving the impression that his private opinions is none of your business.”
Political Consequences
The product packaged as the Prime Minister in last year's election campaign has also not delivered its promised advantages: administrative capability leading to national renewal. If Britain still had a dual-party structure, the remembrance of how bad things were under the Tories may continue patience with Labour.
That presages a massacre of Labour candidates in council and devolved elections next May. It will be a time of great danger for the leader, assuming he survives until then.
Succession Concerns
Missing from these calculations is agreement regarding the person of an alternative leader and their proposed policies might contrast compared to present strategies. This defect within succession arrangements is mentioned by supporters of the leader as part of various arguments to remain with the current leader.
While restive MPs could hesitate regarding such cautions, they also hear in them the recognizable, meaningless sound of low ambition that induces despair regarding present circumstances. It is the sound of lack of success to characterize the leadership as anything more than a set of methods for maintaining position.
Final Considerations
It proves difficult to generate allegiance toward such a purpose. The majority of representatives have endeavored. They have stuck with official positions, supported it during canvassing, followed party discipline, believed assurances that their issues received attention.
Regicide involves significant danger, but is it riskier than pretending that the present leader has answers regarding major issues that he never even names? Edgar's law invites caution regarding the replacement of a sitting prime minister. The alternative might prove more disastrous.
“The heaviness of this troubled period we have to accept; Express genuine emotions, instead of proper declarations.”
