The Times indulges in political Monopoly:
Politics is a bit like playing Monopoly. Leaders start the game with a pot of political capital that is gradually eroded by power. As they go around the board dealing with events, they spend more to build up a property empire of popular support. There must be an element of risk-taking and ruthlessness, as well as responsibility. Luck is required, but also the wisdom to know that you must create your own good fortune. The winner is the person with the most capital left when the country goes to the polls, even if everyone is almost bankrupt.
Theresa May is terrible at the game. Having gambled and lost on an election she didn’t need to call, she is now stuck in Brexit jail, too frightened even to roll the dice for fear she will land on a leadership crisis. When it comes to the public services, the prime minister fritters away her reputation on the political equivalent of Whitechapel and the Old Kent Road instead of building up a portfolio of valuable long-term reforms that will pay out more in the end.
If I were she, for the present at least, I would also look to avoid landing on
the railway stations.
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