If Jeremy Corbyn can rise from the depths, why can’t Theresa May?

When John Curtice speaks, listen. That’s one thing we learned in the general election. This week we hosted John at the Social Market Foundation, where he explained just what actually happened on June 8. Among his many observations was that Jeremy Corbyn really had done something unprecedented: he changed the way voters saw him, for the better. In John’s view, no one has ever done this before. Public opinion of Corbyn was settled: he was useless. And voters, once they’ve decided you’re useless, don’t change their minds. 

But they did. They still don’t think Corbyn is brilliant, but they don’t dismiss him the way they used to. The great Curtice brain holds no other example of such a change. Truly, we live in an age of miracles. If Jeremy Corbyn can rise from the depths, could another miracle deliver the resurrection of Theresa May? 

The Prime Minister is, simply, in hell. Scorned by voters, ignored by colleagues, mocked by the press, shorn of her dignity and her closest aides, the talk in Tory circles is about her resolve and her morale, her willingness and ability to bear the strain much longer. Will she simply quit in despair, walk away from the pressure and the opprobrium? Some Tories, including some ‘friends of’ the likely replacements, are hoping so: resignation would be cleaner than assassination.