Labour can’t assume that Theresa May will fail. That’s far too risky | Martin Kettle

The prime minister seems to be shedding her weak and feeble image – and now her popularity is on the rise among the Tories

Ever since June 2017, the political world has written off Theresa May. It is easy to see why. She called an unnecessary election, she ran a terrible campaign and she threw away her majority. Then things got worse. Her party conference speech was a shambles. A feeble cabinet reshuffle underlined her weakness. Brexit remains divisive and dangerous. Labour thinks she is there for the taking.

May’s faults as a leader are now painfully familiar. Her public style is mechanical. She lacks easy empathy. She isn’t quick on her feet in parliament or in interviews. She can’t inspire. She shows no ability to change or even any desire to do so. She is remote, a cultural throwback. She is very home counties. All these limits were ruthlessly exposed in the election and after the Grenfell Tower fire.

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This week, YouGov reported that the public sees May more favourably than Corbyn by a margin of 10 points

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