It is famously said that that all political careers end in failure. Even, or perhaps especially, those who reach the very highest office. Blair’s Iraq. Thatcher’s downfall. Chamberlain’s ‘peace in our time’.
The British people do not quickly forget or forgive the mistakes of their politicians. Being Prime Minister is a tough job, and any brave soul who dares to sit behind the desk of Number 10 runs the risk – every day – of failure.
This week has seen the opening of a new parliamentary year. MPs, Theresa May and her cabinet included, have spent the summer doing their homework, building alliances and, perhaps, even taking some time to relax, recover and regroup. Now, as Parliament meets under a silent Big Ben, the big question looms: what will they be remembered for?
We have a government with a strong commitment to international issues, with an increasing focus on Global Britain and its place in the world. Not only has May brought the heart-breaking crime of modern day slavery into sharp focus, she has also committed the government to continue spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on foreign aid.
Even better, it is clearly more than a begrudging commitment. May herself said she is ‘proud of the record we have, of the children around the world who are being educated as a result of what the British taxpayer is doing in terms of international aid’. As schools go back this week here in the UK, this will resonate with so many of us.
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