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The torment of the life of politics. Look around that ministerial team: all members is grappling with near impossible portfolios lacking the resources to do what they understand is needed.

Their inheritance was more catastrophic than expected: they were bequeathed landmines, dishonest traps and enormous voids. Brexit is emerging as more economically devastating than predicted, now losing the exchequer £80bn each year.

The Obstacles Accumulating

They face poor fortune: the Trump presidency coincided with their watch. What more unfortunate incident than a jail staff member releasing a rejected refugee sex offender? Migrant crossings feel relentless.

A poorly timed deputy leadership election currently was destined to give the Labour leader a setback. The minimal electoral backing at the Welsh assembly byelection might not even be their worst performance.

They anticipate brickbats, but they're only human. As often, Wes Streeting courageously expresses what all can see: that we're experiencing "deep disillusionment in this country at the moment" and "a growing sense of despair about whether anyone is capable of turning this country round".

Popular Sentiment Baffles

Nevertheless, the contemporary bitter state of popular sentiment is confusing and concerning. Keir Starmer is the most unpopular prime minister ever. Really?

He represents a honorable, committed person of good intentions, lacking excessive pride or ego. Contrast this with Boris Johnson, the short-lived PM, or the relaxed confidence of the ex-Prime Minister, each achieving minimal to warrant arrogant assurance.

Governing Difficulties

Yet, the public argues, the Labour leader is more ineffective. As the nation's leader, he demonstrates little personal magnetism, according to critics: more seriously, he lacks policy adaptability, ingenuity or sense of where the wind blows.

Labour blundered over cuts for elderly citizens and those with disabilities, contrasted with generosity elsewhere. Unsure which demographic to target, ministers have permitted good policies uncelebrated, from working rights to green investment, urban development and employment assurances for young people.

Political Strategy

Too many senior advisors persist in thinking right-wing constituencies needs wooing, when significantly more electors have moved leftwards since the government formed. Polling guru John Curtice cautions leadership to abandon courting Reform voters: they've gone.

The Prime Minister is failing; there's no denying it when pollsters suggest no individual might recover from these record-low ratings.

However, within unprecedented territory of such extreme volatility, past experience might not apply. The Prime Minister rescued Labour from the aftermath of the previous leadership state of despair that history said couldn't be turned around in four years.

Possible Outcomes

Would anyone else perform more effectively, or has society entered a near-ungovernable, never-content citizenry? Every administration may be dismissed equally quickly after taking office, regardless of electoral margin, except if it comes in a gilded chariot providing significant resources for underfunded government departments and empty private purses.

Expectedly, concern within the parliamentary party will make conversation regarding new leadership rife if May's elections go as badly as predicted – or, certain observers propose, earlier.

Potential Solutions

Here's ministers' paradox: Labour's only hope resides in hopelessness. Accept they might be defeated regardless, so employ their parliamentary advantage for four more years to follow their natural social democratic instinct: introduce significant fiscal adjustments, generating substantial revenue.

Expect to lose future elections, so do everything now. Disregard popularity ratings and public consultations; enable the public to witness authentic dedication. The exclusive approach to rebuild credibility is to do transparently what they believe most right and fair.

• This credibility has become vital to protect the country from calamity
• The clear signal from Caerphilly showed the powerful "stop Reform" movement
• Over 60% of unusually high engagement mobilizing to prevent Reform success
• That requires strategic electoral support for the likeliest anti-Farage candidate

The Finance Minister appropriately labels Reform "the single greatest threat" to our way of life. As the Tories effectively combine with Reform, a voting agreement of particular nature approaches.

The party's obligation is to take all necessary measures to block this outcome. Plan for partnerships, stay suitable for like-minded parties when the name of the party is overshadowed by the essential limit against a governance risk unknown in our lifetime.

That's a purpose to overcome hopelessness.