A strange aspect of British politics these days is the reaction of the Tory-controlled media to the emergence of Nigel Farage and his Reform party. Since he is peddling hard-right and populist positions and stances, the right finds it difficult to withhold sneaking regard for his dominant opinion poll position. Tory media find themselves torn between old loyalties to the Conservatives struggling under Kemi Badenoch and a desire to topple Keir Starmer as prime minister.

There seems for now to be growing acceptance that Badenoch lacks the political base and public perception to step into the role.

The startling thing about the Tory party in recent years has been its rapid turnover in leadership. Going back to David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, it gets quite difficult to keep track of the gyrations of the merry-go-round. Britain used to scoff at the frequency of changes of government in Italy; now it is unstable and confused as to whom it wants to lead, and in what direction.

Let us not forget similar gyrations in the Labour Party leadership, and in particular the absurdity of centrist Labour MPs enabling Jeremy Corbyn and his far-left supporters to seize control. It is never wise to nominate a person for office in the hope or........

© The Irish Times