The Top 10: Politicians who peaked too early

The definitive list of people who aspired to the highest office, only to be frustrated by premature success

The incumbent Labour leader was perhaps 10 seats away from becoming PM in 2017 (SWNS)

Ben Stanley proposed this list, and nominated No 6. “Isn’t this tantamount to asking for political careers that ended in failure?” asked Neil Younger. Almost, but I think there are people who could have made it to the top but who were unlucky with the timing. In chronological order, then...

1. Alcibiades. At 35 he advocated then led Athens’ disastrous invasion of Sicily during the Peloponnesian War. Its end marked the end of his career and he became a serial defector. Nominated by Graham Kirby.

2. Pompey the Great. “His early military successes – his troops awarded him the name Magnus at age 24 – translated into popularity, and he won the consulship when he was 35, without having held the offices traditionally necessary to do so. In the bear pit of Roman politics, he joined the First Triumvirate with Caesar, who used the alliance to win the consulship and overthrow the Republic,” said Stewart Slater.

3. Randolph Churchill, Winston’s father, chancellor of the exchequer at the age of 37 in 1886, “before he had the maturity to manage interpersonal relationships properly”, said Will Cooling. “Despite by all accounts being good at running the Treasury, he was out within months and never returned to office.” Also nominated by Brian Williams and David Skelton.

4. George Curzon, foreign secretary 1919-24. Stanley Baldwin became prime minister in 1923 instead. In Winston Churchill’s words: “The morning had been golden; the noontide was bronze; and the evening lead. But all were polished till it shone after its fashion.” Thanks to James Heale.

5. Theodore Roosevelt. “The US would have entered the First World War in 1914 or 1915, had he been president then instead of a decade earlier,” said Allan Holloway.

6. William Hague. Perhaps the best recent template: obviously able, but took over leadership of the opposition at the start of 13 years of Labour rule.

7. Charles Kennedy. Stood down as Lib Dem leader in 2006 after seven years; died in 2015. Nominated by Michael Crick. Would he have been better than Nick Clegg in dealing with David Cameron? Discuss. Stanlei nominated Kennedy and Clegg.

8. Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, 2011-19. She took the party from one MP to 13 in Scotland, becoming a national figure, but Brexit came at the wrong time for a Remainer. Thanks to Phil Riley and James.

9. Jeremy Corbyn. Well, it is a point of view, isn’t it? He came closer than most people realise to No 10 in 2017: maybe just 10 seats away. Nominated by John Fuchs and Star Man.

10. Rebecca Long-Bailey. Her inexperience showed in the leadership campaign, awarding Corbyn 10 out of 10 for his leadership. Thanks to Nick the Wink.

Not sure about David Miliband, David Owen, Michael Portillo, James Purnell, Amber Rudd, Jo Swinson or Chuka Umunna, all of whom received nominations. It could be argued that they had their chances but missed them.

Honourable mention for Bernie Collier, who nominated Tony Blair, presumably taking at face value his protestation that he was just getting the hang of being prime minister when the trapdoor opened. But he did manage independence for the Bank of England, the Good Friday Agreement and the minimum wage all in his first term.

In the “there is always one” category, Robert Boston nominated Chris Grayling: “Elected to the House of Commons representing Epsom and Ewell in 2001; everything went downhill and continues to plumb the depths to this day.”

Next week: Spelling-test songs, such as “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” by Dolly Parton, “D.I.S.C.O.” by Ottowan, and “R.E.V.I.V.A.L.” by Eurythmics.

Coming soon: Footballers who played better for England than for their own club – I have subcontracted the compilation of this one.

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk