Prime Minister May’s first interview on the Marr Show sure did tell us a lot. It told us that she is good at optics, making Marr schlep all the way down to her constituency of Maidenhead because she is too important to slum it to Broadcasting House and plonk herself on his couch.
It was therefore suggested that May likes to be close to her people of Maidenhead, but at the same time she managed to look very regal indeed. She was not quite wearing a crown while perched on her throne-like seat, but she might as well have been.
May was also very well dressed – a chic, business suit that was also feminine. She had great hair and perfect make-up; she was fabulous. She spoke with authority, and managed not to be pinned down by Marr into anything specific.
But that was about it. It would be nice to debate something of substance but the problem was she did not say anything of substance. It was a classic interview of ‘you say it best, when you say nothing at all.’
May made a few noises about grammar schools, but I have grave doubts as to whether this will happen. May passionately wants a Britain that ‘works for everyone’. So she wants to be Mrs Everywoman.
This aim is about as detailed as ‘Brexit means Brexit.’ At least the Campaign for Plain English will be pleased. They have been ‘fighting for crystal-clear communication since 1979! They certainly have found a champion in the form of Prime Minister May.
Anyway, things rolled on into Monday. It was exciting – first day back and all that. It came with the first clear policy statement, which was that there will be no points-based immigration system.
So, this is something that will not happen even though quite a lot of people wanted it to. This clarifies things, a little, I guess. It is so much easier to rule things out than to press forward with change or reform or let’s say – a positive policy that is remotely conservative.
I think we will be waiting quite a while for that as it will impinge on Mrs May’s Everywoman image. I reckon we will get another Saint instead – and they have to either die for the faith and/or live a holy life in addition to performing two miracles. Goodness getting a conservative policy out of Mrs Everywoman will be the biggest miracle of all.
(Image: Chatham House)
