The current atmosphere within parliamentary Labour members currently follows Edgar's law. It affirms that the scale of every hardship is only gauged against unknown future disasters. As Shakespeare lets the outcast offspring of the sightless nobleman of Gloucester say in King Lear: “The most terrible is not, as long as we may declare ‘this is the worst’.”
A Chain of Intensifying Crises
Per this principle, there exists no public opinion measure so gloomy about the government that it can't be followed by one even bleaker; no economic projection so bad that the finance ministry cannot worsen it with conflicting messages regarding taxation; no doubts regarding the leader that cannot be intensified through malicious leaks regarding a contest for leadership.
Refugee Measures Revelation
In that context, the recent announcement of plans that aim to reduce the amount of refugees granted entry to the UK, based upon an infamously harsh Nordic approach, was taken less badly by representatives than anticipated. There appeared glimmers of backbench anger however no blaze of opposition.
Tightening asylum rules is far from the party's natural territory, however the present arrangement is clearly failing while citizens are furious. Most MPs grasp the reasoning that open-mindedness and intercommunal harmony are easier to cultivate if assurance exists that the nation's borders remain protected.
Increasing Dissatisfaction
Reserved MP positions might likewise signal ominous. MPs have learned that all matters are debatable with a directionless leader of adaptable beliefs. Current proclamations might be reversed shortly. There exists no necessity to charge forward if successes can be achieved via endurance.
A regular criticism concerns the Prime Minister is hardly managing the cabinet in any meaningful way, following the transfer of policy decisions to his top aide. That isn't to say the head of government is without administrative energy, he just prefers not to mediate among agency disagreements or undertake extended discussions.
Leadership Style
The Prime Minister entered organized political activity at an advanced stage, originally joining the legislature during his early fifties. He lacks instinct for Labour lore – the collection of historical arguments, campaigns, personalities and cultural references that bind a head to the wider movement and its sense of shared purpose.
His innermost beliefs are a mystery to government members. As one senior Labour figure puts it: “The leader is remarkably distinct as head of government through suggesting that his individual beliefs remain personal matters.”
Electoral Repercussions
The product packaged representing the leader in the recent polling battle has similarly not produced its claimed rewards: managerial competence leading to countrywide revitalization. If Britain still had a binary political arrangement, the memory of past problems during Conservative rule might prolong patience with Labour.
That presages a massacre among government contenders in municipal and national assembly contests in the coming spring. It will be a moment of extreme peril for the leader, provided he remains that long.
Succession Concerns
Not present within these assessments is agreement on the identity of an alternative leader and how their programme may differ with existing administration plans. This flaw regarding changeover preparations is referenced by those backing the incumbent among numerous justifications to continue supporting the incumbent.
Even as unhappy parliamentarians might recoil from these alerts, they similarly perceive through them the recognizable, meaningless sound of low ambition which causes hopelessness at the status quo. It represents the noise of lack of success to characterize the leadership as anything more than a set of methods for maintaining position.
Ending Reflections
It is hard to summon loyalty toward such a purpose. And most Labour MPs have attempted. They have adhered to established policies, supported it during canvassing, obeyed the whips, trusted promises that their concerns were heard.
Regicide is fraught with risk, however, does it present greater hazards than pretending that the current ruler holds responses to big questions that he never even names? Edgar's law invites caution when removing an incumbent leader. The alternative might prove more disastrous.
“The burden of this sad time we must obey; Speak what we feel, instead of proper declarations.”
