The torment of the life of politics. Survey that cabinet table: all members is confronted with near impossible portfolios devoid of the tools to do what they understand is needed.
The legacy they received was more disastrous than expected: they were handed explosive situations, misleading obstacles and enormous voids. Brexit is emerging as more economically devastating than expected, now losing the exchequer £80bn each year.
They face bad luck: the Trump destroyer arrived during their watch. What greater disaster than a corrections official setting free a denied migrant individual convicted of sexual crimes? Channel migrants feel incessant.
An ill-advised deputy leadership election at this moment was certain to give Keir Starmer a setback. The minimal electoral backing at the Welsh assembly special election might not even be their worst performance.
They prepare for criticism, but they are human. As often, Wes Streeting dares say what all can see: 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".
However, despite this, the present hostile state of voter perception is confusing and concerning. Keir Starmer is the most unpopular prime minister on record. Actually?
He represents a respectable, earnest individual of positive aims, lacking excessive pride or vanity. Measure this against the former Prime Minister, Liz Truss, or the casual assumption of the former Conservative leader, all with so little to justify conceited self-confidence.
However, voters claim, the Labour leader is more ineffective. In his leadership role, he's short on charisma, they say: more importantly, he lacks political agility, ingenuity or understanding of public sentiment.
Labour blundered over cuts for retirees and individuals with special needs, offset by expanded benefits in different sectors. Unsure which demographic to target, ministers have permitted positive initiatives uncelebrated, covering labor rights to sustainable development, new towns and employment assurances for young people.
Too many close advisers continue to believe the Daily Mail-inflected right needs wooing, when almost twice as many voters have leaned liberal since the election was won. Survey specialist the renowned analyst advises the party to cease pursuing Reform voters: they've gone.
The Prime Minister is struggling; this cannot be disputed when research shows no leader could recover from these record-low ratings.
However, within unknown circumstances of significant fluctuation, conventional wisdom could prove irrelevant. The leader extracted Labour from the aftermath of the previous leadership slough of despond that history said couldn't be fixed in four years.
Might a different politician achieve superior results, or are we experiencing a virtually unmanageable, never-content citizenry? Every administration may be dismissed equally quickly once in power, despite overwhelming support, except if it comes bearing quick fixes providing significant resources for stricken public services and cash-strapped families.
Expectedly, concern within the parliamentary party will make talk of leadership change commonplace if May's elections go according to negative projections – or, various commentators argue, before that.
Here's ministers' paradox: Labour's only hope resides in hopelessness. Accept they might be wiped out whatever, so use this massive majority for the full parliament to pursue their inherent progressive principles: introduce significant fiscal adjustments, raising plenty.
Expect to lose subsequent votes, so implement all policies immediately. Disregard popularity ratings and voter research; enable the public to witness authentic dedication. The only way to restore some respect is to execute clearly what they believe most correct and reasonable.
The Chancellor rightly calls Reform "the single greatest threat" to national identity. As the Tories largely align with Reform, a voting agreement of particular nature threatens.
The party's obligation is to implement required actions to block this outcome. Plan for partnerships, be acceptable to progressive partners when party affiliations matters less than the fundamental boundary against a political danger unprecedented in modern history.
This represents a mission to overcome hopelessness.
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