Having called the two most reckless elections in recent memory the Conservatives can no longer claim to be the party of stable and responsible leadership.
Those qualities are, after all, the party’s fundamental pitch to voters. They are implied in the name on the Conservative tin – trust us with the economy, with defence, with national security, because the other lot, particularly when led by a left-winger like Jeremy Corbyn, simply aren’t up to the job.
But look how irresponsible Tory leaders have been. David Cameron took us into an unnecessary referendum, and Theresa May, with the support of her cabinet, called a general election we didn’t need. On both occasions the party and/or personal position were put well before country.
In unexpected numbers, voters saw through May. Going back on her word not to hold an election was not her first deceit. As home secretary, she had promised to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands but failed utterly. For six years she was part of a government that promised to balance the books within five years, and missed its targets. She took office promising to govern for all, only to make capturing UKIP voters her overriding goal.
Notwithstanding the weakness of her prospective agreement with the DUP, whatever shape it takes, how can we trust such an unreliable leader, and such an unreliable party, to lead the Brexit talks that will decide our country’s future for several generations? The referendum and this election were rooted in Tory divisions over Europe. It is time the country stopped paying the price for that disagreement.
If she remains prime minister for the next few months, May must begin the process of delivering a Brexit for all. A Brexit that honours the referendum result, but sticks to the letter of the question on the ballot paper – which was to leave the European Union. A Brexit that explores the options of not leaving the single market, the customs union and shared security arrangements. That will involve, at the very least, fully consulting other parties, and at best, formalising a consensual negotiating position.
For pro-Europeans, there has been encouragement over the weekend that the hung parliament will turn out positively.
Ruth Davidson, the Conservative’s newly empowered leader in Scotland, is talking of the need for a more “open Brexit” with cross-party support. Philip Hammond has reportedly told May that his continued support is conditional on a moderated approach to Brexit, one that puts British business and jobs first. This echoes the type of Brexit, vague though it may be, that Corbyn advocated during his campaign. Two prominent Remain Tories, Nicky Morgan and Alistair Burt, have urged the prime minister to find a consensus in parliament for Brexit.
“The new composition of parliament knocks on the head the idea that the negotiations should solely be in the hands of the Conservative party,” Burt told the Observer.
Former Labour front bencher Yvette Cooper has gone further, calling for a cross-party commission to run the negotiations. Nicola Sturgeon has this morning joined her. That may seem far-fetched right now, but within a year maybe less so. Who knows in British politics these days.