Things Can Only Get Better

Synopsis

A London office building, 2015. The air is thick with political tension and personal crisis.

Sebastian, a Labour MP and leadership candidate, finds his world unravelling as he suddenly begins speaking with a pronounced Yorkshire accent following a cycling accident. Struggling with his identity and political convictions, Seb grapples with the emergence of Jeremy Corbyn as a popular left-wing challenger. His crisis is witnessed and manipulated by Deborah, a shrewd party operative, and Jo, his idealistic young aide.

Watson’s play is a biting satire on the authenticity crisis in modern British politics. Through Seb’s linguistic and existential dilemma, the playwright explores themes of class, political identity, and the generational divide within the Labour Party. The dialogue crackles with political jargon and media spin, while deeper questions of personal integrity and the purpose of political engagement simmer beneath. Flashbacks to 1997 and the optimism of New Labour’s landslide victory provide a poignant counterpoint to the contemporary scenes, highlighting the cyclical nature of political idealism and disillusionment.