Life in opposition is even more frustrating, but those without political power at least have the freedom to dream. This may not be much of a consolation, however, but in opposition the goal is single, simple and overarching: the conquest of power. Policies are not tested for what they actually achieve, but in terms of how the electorate or one’s own supporters are likely to respond. A prolonged period in opposition reduces this freedom to manoeuvre. Policies which repeatedly fail the test of electoral acceptability have to be discarded. The social and economic environment and the policies of opponents in government render previous plans inadequate or obsolete, forcing an overall reassessment.