Andrew Vine: Foundations of politics collapse as trust vanishes

I can’t recall such an uninspiring bunch of frontline politicians on all sides as that which seeks to govern us, at a time of uncertainty for our country when principle, clarity of vision and the ability to set a firm course are urgently needed.

Theresa May will now be the next occupant of 10 Downing Street, after her only rival, Andrea Leadsom, yesterday withdrew from the contest.

But just how inspiring and effective a leader will the Home Secretary be? This is, after all, the politician who presided over a collapse in border controls and chaos at passport issuing offices that left holidaymakers unable to go abroad. Her coronation as a result of wrangling and backstabbing within the ranks of the Conservatives is unlikely to soothe the concerns of a frustrated electorate.

The economy teeters on the brink of crisis in the wake of the Brexit vote, the promises of the Leave camp have melted away into thin air, and nobody is sure of what comes next.

The summer of 2016 might yet be recorded by history as the moment when part of the foundations that have long underpinned our system of government gave way, sending the entire edifice lurching crazily askew. Trust in politicians has collapsed in these past few weeks, as shown by the EU referendum verdict, which was as much a huge protest vote at the way the country has been run for years, as a verdict on Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Last week’s Chilcot report on the Iraq War debacle only added to that sense of public distrust, confirming what millions had long believed – that Britain was never told the full truth before its troops were sent into battle, 179 of them never to return.

There is a direct link between the anti-war protests of 2003 and the EU referendum result. Both were about the public no longer being prepared to believe what their Government was telling them. There is another link between the two events that only reinforces distrust – the lack of a plan for what happens afterwards.

Just as there was no plan to prevent Iraq and the wider Middle East sinking into bloodshed and extremism, so there is no plan for what happens to a post-EU Britain.

Firefighting in the form of the Bank of England acting to try to steady financial markets is no substitute for a coherent strategy.

Not only is there no plan, there is no certainty about the legal process for withdrawing from the EU and confusion over whether MPs could block Britain leaving.

What has happened to the concept of leadership? David Cameron, having called a referendum at least partly to try to end Tory disputes about the EU, was guilty of gross selfishness by effectively resigning in a huff when the vote to stay he presumably imagined would be easily won was lost.

That left Britain swinging in the wind, the public forgotten about and sidelined as worried onlookers wondering how and where it will all end for their jobs, mortgages or pensions.

The Dewsbury-born former Speaker of the House of Commons, Baroness Boothroyd, gave potent voice to their sense of powerlessness last week, rightly observing that politics has become “toxic” to voters.

Instead of purpose, we have infighting in the only two credible parties of government.

And instead of substantial figures of statesmanship who can end damaging uncertainty and provide clear leadership and vision, we have politicians who are pale shadows of the titans of the past.

As Baroness Boothroyd pointed out, there is a distinct lack of towering figures in either the Conservatives or Labour.

Nor will the installation of Britain’s second female prime minister settle bickering within the Conservatives, with the anti-EU wing of the party suspicious of Mrs May’s credentials after her backing for Britain to remain, even though she appeared distinctly lukewarm.

But matters are even worse on the benches opposite where bickering and disquiet have hardened into animosity.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is openly at war with his MPs, who are desperate to depose him.

Despite Angela Eagle yesterday launching her challenge to his leadership, it is far from certain that Mr Corbyn can be removed. Unelectable to the wider public though he is, his support amongst Labour’s rank-and-file appears impregnable.

So we have a Government with no plan versus an Opposition both incapable of holding it to account or of making constructive suggestions about the best way forward for Britain in this uncertain new world.

What a choice when it eventually comes to a general election. Who among them has the ability to rebuild the broken bond of trust with the electorate? Who is fit to lead?