Around 2007 it appeared that British political leaders only came in one model. Tony Blair (53), David Cameron (40) and Nick Clegg (39) were all young, economically liberal and socially liberal. Grey hair as much as no hair appeared an impediment to leadership. Both Cameron and Clegg had replaced older predecessors (Michael Howard and the much-mocked Ming Campbell). The 2008 election of Barack Obama (47) only appeared to confirm the trend.
But, like much else, this assumption has been overturned. In 2015, Labour elected Jeremy Corbyn (then 66) – the oldest leader of a major party for 35 years. The following year, the Conservatives chose Theresa May (then 59), now the oldest prime minister since Margaret Thatcher. Should Vince Cable become Liberal Democrat leader (the 74-year-old entered the race today), the reversal will be complete. The average age of the three leaders would be 67 (up from 47 in 2015) – the highest since 1955. All this, with a 71-year-old in the White House.
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