The existing sentiment among Labour MPs these days follows a Shakespearean principle. It declares that the extent of every hardship is solely gauged against unforeseen calamities. As the Bard has the banished son of the visionless lord of Gloucester say in the play: “The most terrible is absent, provided that we can say ‘this represents the lowest point’.”
A Series of Deepening Crises
According to Edgar's law, there is no public opinion measure so pessimistic about the government that won't be followed by another more depressing; no budget prediction so poor that the finance ministry can't aggravate via mixed indications on tax; no misgivings concerning the Prime Minister that won't be heightened via hostile communications regarding a contest for leadership.
Refugee Measures Announcement
Considering this situation, this week's revelation of strategies intending to limit the number of refugees granted entry to Britain, modelled on a notoriously mean Scandinavian model, was received less badly with Labour MPs than predicted. There appeared glimmers of MP frustration however no blaze of opposition.
Hardening immigration policies is far from the party's natural territory, yet the existing framework is obviously flawed while citizens are furious. Most MPs comprehend the argument that acceptance and community cohesion are easier to cultivate if assurance exists that the country's boundaries remain protected.
Increasing Dissatisfaction
Quiet backbenches might likewise signal foreboding. MPs have learned that everything is negotiable under an aimless chief of adaptable beliefs. Today's declarations might be reversed shortly. There's no requirement to rush over the top provided triumphs can be secured via endurance.
A common complaint is that Starmer is scarcely operating the cabinet at all, after assigning policy decisions to his chief of staff. That isn't to say the head of government lacks executive dynamism, he merely chooses to avoid arbitrating between ministry conflicts or engage in protracted arguments.
Leadership Style
Starmer came to organized political activity during later professional life, initially becoming an MP during his early fifties. He misses understanding about movement history – the canon of former discussions, campaigns, characters 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 Labour figure puts it: “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 Starmer during the previous electoral contest has similarly not produced its promised advantages: managerial competence resulting in countrywide revitalization. Had the UK maintained a dual-party structure, the recollection of past problems during Conservative rule could extend acceptance of the administration.
That presages a massacre of Labour candidates during local and regional polls next May. It will be an instance of significant risk for Starmer, if he endures that long.
Leadership Questions
Absent in these calculations is agreement on the identity of an alternative leader and how their programme could vary from the current government's agenda. This weakness regarding changeover preparations is cited by those backing the incumbent among numerous justifications to continue supporting the current leader.
While restive MPs might recoil from those warnings, they similarly perceive within them the recognizable, meaningless sound of low ambition which causes hopelessness at the status quo. It is the sound of inability to characterize the leadership as merely a sequence of tactics for maintaining position.
Final Considerations
It is hard to inspire faithfulness toward such a purpose. And most Labour MPs have endeavored. They have adhered to official positions, defended it on the doorstep, followed party discipline, believed assurances that their concerns were heard.
Regicide contains considerable peril, but is it riskier than pretending that the existing prime minister has answers regarding major issues that remain unmentioned? Edgar's law recommends carefulness in ousting a sitting prime minister. The successor may turn out poorer.
“The heaviness of this sad time we need to follow; State true sentiments, rather than expected statements.”
