A parliamentary term is 5 years so what people think of them at the minute means absolutely f uck all tbh. They have a massive majority; they are doing the unpopular stuff now; and they will hope to be turning things around in 3 or 4 years. Taking opinion polls at this point is like p issing into the wind. Keeps a few nerds in jobs, but otherwise, utterly pointless.
Indeed.
And we have to recognise a lot of things:
I. The massive change in immediacy of opinion and that being communicated now Vs 13 years ago.
Labours polls at all time low this week could easily become the opposite in a month from their actions, or someone elses.
II. The absolute skip fire they've been dealt.
III. The weakness in our system that there is an element of learning on the job for MPs, so we always get book and bust politics (compare with coalitions that have more parties directly involved in governance. Select committees go someway to addressing that)
IV. This was always going to be a very tough and uncomfortable parliament. People want a Blair type reaction to the skip fire. The country, and the world, is a million miles away from that landscape. The next few years are going to be a hard reality check.
V. You think those polls are bad? Wait until after the budget in a few weeks!
Re: Labour. I voted Labour this time. Don't usually, I'm usually more Lib Dem.
I'm going to judge them properly after 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years. The act of governing isn't about instant results. Yes, get your quick wins if you can, but overall it's a long term exercise.
So far:
-Winter fuel allowance rebalance. 7/10.
Correct decision. Slightly clumsy Comms. Hopefully will be accompanied by an increase to the UC threshold in the budget (this can ONLY be done in a budget for anyone that might moan about it not having been done yet) for pensioners so it supports those in need but stays away from being a blanket payment
-Expenses/gifts. 8/10
A nothing story whipped up by the right wing press. Making it an opportunity to create new rules is a great move and should garner big changes.
Giving back certain bits of gifts was clumsy, but also a reflection of the sensationalism that is UK politics.
-Chaogos Islands. 0/10
Furious about this. To make this move without giving proper choice to Chaogians (sic) is a disgrace and not in line with the values I thought I voted for.
Summary:
We have moved from a circus government to a technocratic government - it is going to take a few years to get used to that.
So far I'd say Labour decision making has been good.
The political strategy and clarity of Comms behind it has been clumsy and clunky.
