There’s an argument from anti-Brexit people that Britain needs a ‘unity’ figure to lead a brief government, perhaps for only a couple of weeks. This ‘unity’ figure’s job? To drag the country away from the cliff edge of a chaotic no-deal departure from the European Union.
By unity figure they generally mean not the leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition. That’s Jeremy Corbyn and he is polling very badly.
We all have opinions on who should lead this proposed short-term government, to pause the Brexit process, call a General Election and possibly pass an Act for another referendum. This article is not about that. It’s about something that most people appear not to have noticed.
If you’re unpopular, as Corbyn clearly is while in opposition, you need to turn that around. One effective way of dealing with your reputational problem in these circumstances is to do something ‘good’, or at least popular with a large number of people.
If Jeremy Corbyn were to do that ‘good’ thing it would be popular with a large number of people.
This would be problematic for those who have portrayed him as ‘dangerous’ and a Very Bad Person.
We know all this, yet still people attempt to mount an argument that he should step aside ‘for the sake of the country’. They correctly point out that he is a divisive figure but never acknowledge that successfully completing a few weeks of service at the top might well begin to repair his reputation.
Turn it around, though, and imagine that he does step aside ‘for the sake of the country’.
You don’t have to be a PR guru or political strategy genius to see what comes next. Yet he is expected to hand his opponents the gift of this attack line in the coming General Election;
“He wasn’t capable of leading a temporary government but he’s asking you for the full time job”
Just riff on this theme yourself.
“He isn’t fit to lead for two weeks — but he wants to lead for five years”
Etc.
These ideas took about 90 seconds to come up with. Imagine a serious anti-Corbyn pitch on it.
Then imagine the campaign after Corbyn successfully leading Britain back from the cliff edge, restoring the sovereignty of Parliament and establishing a responsible path forward. All on a pre-agreed cross-party agenda.
“He sorted no-deal — now he’ll sort the country”
That’s the problem for everyone here. The role of ‘unity’ figure carries massive opportunity and that’s why his most implacable opponents are against giving him the chance to rehabilitate himself with the public.
Stepping away from the opportunity would also represent an acknowledgement of deep problems with the concept of your leadership. It’s unrealistic to expect any political leader to do that.
None of this is a case of ‘shoulds’ around the moral authority to take this role. It’s just a question of PR and political practicalities.
