The quote "The Primrose Way" from P.G. Wodehouse's "The Essential Novels" highlights a societal shift where citizens have abandoned interest in broader national and local issues. Instead, their focus is singularly directed towards securing their own political positions. This self-centered approach reveals a disconnect from the community and its larger concerns, suggesting a prioritization of personal ambition over public duty.

The passage captures a moment when civic engagement has deteriorated, with individuals more concerned about their own electoral aspirations than the welfare of society. Wodehouse effectively critiques this phenomenon, illustrating how the pursuit of power can overshadow the responsibilities of citizenship, leading to a decline in meaningful participation in public life.