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The torment of the political life. Observe that government frontbench: each person is confronted with exceptionally challenging portfolios lacking the resources to do what they know is needed.

The legacy they received was more disastrous than feared: they were handed explosive situations, deceptive pitfalls and gaping holes. Brexit is emerging as even more economically crippling than predicted, now losing the exchequer £80bn a year.

The Difficulties Building

They face unfortunate circumstances: the Trump administration landed on their watch. What worse mishap than a jail staff member releasing a rejected refugee sexual predator? Channel migrants feel incessant.

A poorly timed leadership contest at this moment was certain to give the Prime Minister a bruising. The 11% vote share at the Welsh assembly by-election might not even be their worst performance.

They expect brickbats, but they are human. As often, the Health Secretary dares say the obvious truth: that there is "deep disillusionment in this country at the moment" and "a growing sense of despair about whether anyone is capable of turning this country round".

Public Opinion Confuses

However, despite this, the current vitriolic state of public opinion is puzzling and worrying. Keir Starmer is the most disliked prime minister in history. Really?

He is a respectable, earnest individual of noble purposes, without undue arrogance or vanity. Measure this against the Conservative leader, Liz Truss, or the relaxed confidence of the ex-Prime Minister, none having substantial to warrant arrogant assurance.

Leadership Challenges

Yet, the public argues, Starmer is worse. As prime minister, he demonstrates little personal magnetism, they say: more importantly, he lacks policy adaptability, innovative approaches or instinct for changing opinions.

The government mishandled over cuts for retirees and individuals with special needs, offset by generosity elsewhere. Unsure which demographic to target, ministers have permitted beneficial programs unpromoted, including employment protections to environmental funding, new towns and a youth guarantee.

Governing Philosophy

An excessive number of senior advisors still think the Daily Mail-inflected right needs wooing, when significantly more electors have moved leftwards since Labour took office. Election expert the renowned analyst advises the party to stop chasing Farage supporters: they've gone.

Labour's leader is failing; this cannot be disputed when surveys indicate no politician would recover from these unplumbed depths.

But in the uncharted waters of remarkable instability, past experience might not apply. Starmer pulled Labour from the aftermath of the previous leadership state of despair that history said couldn't be fixed in four years.

Future Possibilities

Would anyone else do better, or have we reached a virtually unmanageable, never-content citizenry? Any government may be opposed with similar speed following election, however great its landslide victory, only if it appears with immediate solutions offering substantial benefits for stricken public services and financially strained households.

Unsurprisingly, panic on the back benches will make talk of leadership change widespread if the spring local elections go as poorly as forecast – or, certain observers propose, earlier.

The Way Forward

Here's ministers' paradox: Labour's only hope lies in despair. Accept they might be defeated regardless, so employ their parliamentary advantage for four more years to implement their genuine left-leaning values: make radical tax reforms, increasing government income.

Expect to lose subsequent votes, so implement all policies immediately. Ignore survey results and focus groups; allow citizens to observe authentic dedication. The exclusive approach to rebuild credibility is to execute clearly what they consider most correct and reasonable.

• That respect has become crucial to rescue the country from crisis
• The bright light from the recent election showed the significant "stop Reform" impulse
• Over 60% of remarkable voter participation rallying to prevent Reform success
• That requires strategic electoral support for the strongest progressive option

Rachel Reeves rightly calls Reform "the most significant danger" to national identity. As the Tories largely align with Reform, an electoral pact of certain type approaches.

The party's obligation is to take all necessary measures to prevent it. Prepare for coalition, be acceptable to progressive partners when party affiliations becomes secondary to the essential limit against a governance risk unknown in our lifetime.

Such is an objective to overcome hopelessness.