Matthew Parris Matthew Parris

Labour’s failure isn’t necessarily the Tories’ success

A moment arrives when one does just have to admit defeat. We shall leave the European Union and there isn’t a lot of point going on about it any more. I’m still sure it’s a mistake, but there we are. In a democracy the majority is entitled to make a mistake, just as the minority is entitled to say so. I say so. I’d hoped we could change people’s minds but we haven’t, so enough from me on that.

A general election is a different matter. Here too, of course, the majority is entitled to make a mistake, but resistance remains possible and legitimate because there’s always the opportunity at the next election to reverse the electorate’s previous decision.

The trouble is, however, that I don’t want to. I don’t want a Labour government: certainly not one led by Jeremy Corbyn but (assuming he goes soon) not one led by Rebecca Long-Bailey, Angela Rayner, or whoever. There’s scant hope for people who think as I do that in the next few years a Johnson-led government will be seriously challenged by any party we’d like to see replace it.

So where do we go, politically? My thoughts are still settling, as must be the thoughts of millions, but they point already towards a tricky path. I don’t admire or trust Boris Johnson, and his decisive victory at a general election doesn’t alter that opinion. I think it’s not going to work out; however I may very well be wrong: I didn’t believe New Labour was going to work out.

But I’ve no intention of burying my scepticism — there’s a line to be drawn between doubt that tries to keep an open mind, and a blind and ears-blocked railing against a government and its leadership, seizing on every fault and admitting of no success.

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