The Prime Minister’s epic catalogue of early summer mishaps, mistakes and misjudgments lengthens by the day: if he is not making a fool of himself on YouTube, he is misreading the mood of the Commons on MPs’ expenses, or posing in front of swastikas. But, as wretched as they are, these incidents pale into insignificance compared to one truly monstrous strategic error: Number 10’s failure to acknowledge Joanna Lumley’s requests for a private meeting with the PM.
Part of New Labour’s political genius in its early years was to hoist a Big Tent, a welcoming canvas which stretched over everyone with influence. Sometimes, this ‘inclusiveness’ was absurd and desperate: in his first year, Tony Blair seemed ready to govern in coalition with rock stars and luvvies. But Ms Lumley does not fall into this category. She is a national treasure, symbolic of much that is good and true in British life, not only in the arts, but in her strong convictions, respect for tradition and sense of honour. Small wonder that a member of the royal family has backed Ms Lumley’s campaign against the government’s treatment of the Gurkhas.
Any PM can make a miscalculation about a Commons vote. Every politician is sooner or later caught gurning on camera. No party leader escapes speculation about a prospective challenge. But ignore Joanna Lumley? What were you thinking, Gordon?
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