I have been concerned with the idea that ‘they represent us’ in politics for a long time.
Let’s face it, they don’t, do they? Mostly. People who go into politics are a breed of their own; not like us in any way. It’s a sort of club. A group of people who think the same way, protecting their own interests. If you, as an outsider, tried to join then you would feel so uncomfortable then you would probably leave or adjust your views.
When I have been researching the cases tried at the Moot Hall in Victorian times, the same names come up time and again. Sadd, Binnie, Ward, Fitch. The rich, with businesses, who employed the poor and didn’t pay them enough were the very people who decided on prison with 7 days of hard labour (chained to a wall) for stealing a loaf of bread. Never once did they have to confront their part in it. They joined the board of the Poor Law Guardians, not always to help but often to make sure that not too much money was spent.
The theory now, though, is that because we elect them (and we all have a chance to do that) then they have to be careful not to upset us or they will lose their seat. If you feel passionately about something you can email your MP and the page you do it from is called ‘they work for you.’
If this is true then why do we feel as though we have to fight so hard to be heard by them?
Local councils are also very strange places.
Maldon Nub News is doing a blinding job providing very local news. I admire their bravery to try to fill the gap that has started to widen since large corporations took over local newspapers. They send a reporter to the council meetings, which is something that has been cut from local papers because they just don’t have enough staff. It’s a shame. I certainly think my daughter learnt how to tell a story from the council offices of Windsor council. And the stories are sometimes wild, eye popping and unbelievable but most often they aren’t and there’s nothing to write. However, Maldon Nub News were there when the friends of the Moot Hall applied for permission to fly a rainbow flag. The building also does very small weddings. They wanted to be able to fly the flag for people who wanted it at their wedding and for Pride week.
They agreed to the purchase of the flag and allowed it for Pride week but refused it for weddings. A councillor said, “I think we are setting a precedent if we fly the flag at weddings because then why aren’t we flying a flag for other people?” Another said, “I’m not very keen on calling same sex weddings weddings. When you are talking about same sex weddings you are not talking about weddings.” Then he disappeared up his own arsehole in a puff of smoke, having spun his words round in circles so fast there was no stopping the centrifugal force that has built up (not really - this is why I couldn’t be a journalist). It’s just wishful thinking but having sat next to to this man at a dinner I think it was probably the least offensive thing he has ever said.
Luckily, local shop owners are enraged and are calling on the council to reverse their decision in an open letter.
This makes me proud. They are so right too. Who wouldn’t want a rainbow flag at their wedding? A rainbow is symbol of inclusivity. It means that it’s for everyone. And it’s pretty.
I very much doubt that anything will change soon. The council voted, those who opposed are unlikely to change their mind. The councillors who opposed it will be very certain that they speak for the majority. Everyone they know will agree with them but it’s ok because the represent us.
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