"Then you understand!" he exclaims, "oh, it is so frustrating! To have so many doors closed to you, simply because you do not walk in the right circles yet! I wish things were otherwise, but," and here Norrell sighs wistfully -- offers Illya a tired smile. He is so set upon by difficulties, by things in his path! "It is something I have done my best to grow used to. I would like to think I have become tolerable at it!"

If 'tolerable' is how one would describe bullying one's way onto the Night Council and ousting people in one's way, then of course -- Gilbert Norrell is 'tolerable' at politics.