These notes are offered to Members ahead of the Commons debate on July 19th 2007. They argue that in developing a practical response to the crisis in Zimbabwe, British policy-makers must recognise the realistic prospect of continued deterioration and the entrenched obstacles to recovery: • Crisis of legitimacy will not end if Mugabe quits. • Ruling hegemony includes beneficiaries of economic meltdown. • A practical response must engage both sides – and rival factions – in Harare.