Brexit: UK politics and the continuation of a vicious circle

I awoke this morning on the second day post BREXIT referendum to the news that things are spiralling further into the unknown. For the first time in my lifetime (36 years) both our two mainstream political parties are in such dire turmoil. It’s often the case that one party will experience pandemonium whilst the other capitalises from it; but now both the Conservatives and Labour are spiralling into all out civil wars.

We have David Cameron falling on his sword and announcing intent to leave the post of PM, opening up inevitable opportunity for those who fancy taking on the role; Johnson is current front runner, for now. But there’ll be others in the party who fancy their chances; and knowing the Tories, it will get ugly. Suggesting that governing the county will continue to be secondary business for the foreseeable future. Comparatively, it appears instead of uniting behind Jeremy Corbyn, a coup has been precipitated by the motion of certain MPs noting no confidence in his leadership, and then this morning the sacking of Hilary Benn after he informed Corbyn of his lack of confidence in him. Since then, other shadow cabinet members have resigned with more likely to follow. Meaning that Corbyn may have a thin front bench come Monday. Extraordinary stuff.

At such an obviously divided time in our nations history, when the country is split down the middle regarding the EU, and the impact it has had on us all – good or bad; it appears the political classes are intent on continuing in the same fashion that has, I suspect, led to such division in our country.

The conservative brexiteers are nowhere to be seen e.g. Gove and Johnson. Even when they did appear on Friday, it appeared more like a funeral procession than celebration of the result they apparently desired. Now might be a good time for one of them to stand up and set the stool out for what happens next. Instead of leaving the country disorganised and anxious about the unknown. Or is it that they don’t know what it is they want or looks like?

For Labour, I understand the anxieties of the a majorities of the PLP, they see the Tories are weak; think Corbyn is a weak leader and that he doesn’t attract those who voted out. Even though majority young and 7/10 Labour voters chose to remain, suggesting he delivered. So inevitably they are in the mood for coup. But, I can’t help thinking that this is an unhelpful and potentially harmful move. At a time when the opposition should be standing united, holding the government to account. Making sure whomever manages our separation from the EU, is doing so in the national interest; to benefit all, not the few. I think this act may perpetuate distrust and push people further away from the party. Not to mention maintain the circle of anxiety of the unknown.

Whatever the goings-on of both political parties at this time, we need leaders to project a sense of stability and confidence. We need them to make the people feel safe, to ease our anxieties and promote a feeling of compassion; even if they don’t believe it. This in turn will allow us to feel a little more secure. As the late psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott often advocated, we all need to be made to feel ‘held’ in order to ease our anxieties; and that a ‘good enough’ parental figures (i.e. political leaders) will allow us space to explore what we’ve just been through in a calm, compassionate, more inquisitive way. Hopefully leading to reconciliation of our divided nation, where everyone feels heard; and breaking this vicious circle. And leading to stability. It’s what we need.