Reflections on Our Democratic Institutions
“We won,” they cried, with their forty-three per cent
And we all soon realised what it meant.
Eighty seats ahead
An opposition put to bed.
A new era of dominance
And public school prominence.
In Parliament all is lost
We just have to count the cost.
Tory cheers for every measure
That assaults the life we treasure.
Tory jeers for every mention
Of errors brought to their attention
Tory sneers at any suggestion
That calls their leader into question.
A leader who delights in games
And loves to trade in calling names.
Who behaves as though he’s still at school
Where schoolboy jokes are just the rule
He sees himself as quite imperious,
Churchillian in status and in style,
But, friends, he can’t be serious
When his ways remain so puerile.
This is a time in which disruption
Excuses all kinds of vile corruption.
A time for telling lies;
Who cares if honesty dies?
A time for the rich and fortunate
To call the poor importunate.
What we still call democracy
And urge upon others
Is now just autocracy
And not a soul bothers.
Why should we object or call a meeting?
We’re world-leading, world class and world-beating!
September 2021
Carrot in a Box
Jamie Keddie, SpainDr Rieux Checks His Facebook Newsfeed
Jill Hadfield, New ZealandReflections on Our Democratic Institutions
Rod Bolitho, UK