Possible Clues:

• No-win situation
• Setter's old-fashioned — an insurmountable difficulty
• Situation where no progress is possible
• Stalemated situation
• Deadlock that is about politician on a ship
• Deadlock: four leave showing no emotion
• Deadlock that is about politician and idiot
• Gridlock on motorway going west — go east
• Setter is no longer cool in standstill
• Yours truly is out in blind alley