So, the prime minister is for turning. The reason that Theresa May set out for her 'cut and run' general election is not convincing. The personal cost to her will be very great. Huge, of course, if she loses. This is most unlikely - but nothing is impossible should Labour pro-Remain voters swing behind the Lib Dems tactically. A Tory majority of 35, double their present advantage, would be a more than significant, moral defeat.
And even if May gets the majority of 100 plus she hopes for, the prime minister is irreparably damaged. She had record-breaking personal ratings because she seemed to be different, a woman who did what she said, someone who did not, as she put it, ‘play games’. A woman of quiet conviction. Less belligerent than Thatcher, but all the more Christian and less self-interested. A woman of her word, who got on with the job. Now she has broken her word. One that was much pledged since she declared her candidacy and stated there would be no general election until 2020. A pledge she and her spokespeople have repeated firmly ever since.
