The Vienna Symphony Orchestra Covers Album
Today a Conservative canvasser came to our door, the deep intellectual debate ensued:
"Hello"
"Good afternoon, can we count on your vote in the general election" (I'm not sure the comma was there, but I put in for good favour.)
"No"
"Oh...bye"
"Goodbye"
What's the point? Surely they're not just going around counting their chickens before they've hatched? Their abhorrent arrogance appears to know no bounds. Where's the engagement? The interaction?
When I posted this on Twitter I childishly referred to her as a toff, but she started it. She was rude to me, twice (read on for second example). Of course, not all Conservatives are toffs, not all of Labour are pie eating, flat cap wearing, whippet owning Lancashire lads who work down pit. Not all Liberal Democrats are sat on the fence, unsure which way they'll fall, or be pushed. etc.
So to the second example, I've met this lady before, in the last election. We were living in a different part of the constituency then, but nevertheless (apparently) I was fed the same lifeless uninspiring drivel. On that occasion, I had the time to chat. I said how I knew of her, her previous position in the council and that through his involvement in the council, I knew she knew my grandfather (who was Labour, a Lancashire lad...who had worked down pit...wore a flat cap...but, he never owned a whippet. Oh wait, they did have a Jack Russell...I expect he liked pie). She recalled how although they got along, they didn't see eye to eye on policy - interestingly I'm not entirely sure they did get along, I'm quite sure I remember Grandad referring to her as a 'goof' - he had a way with words. So after pleasantries I asked a question, it was regarding the District Council's decision to outsource their supplier book to a privately owned company, who would be charging the supplier a fee to be on their "Approved Register" - which, to be fair, you do get a certificate for, so it's not entirely a waste of money. I told her that I had questioned the council about this 'protection racket' and asked was it across the board, so would all companies wishing to receive any work from the council have to subscribe, I was told "yes". I then asked how did this work with their utilities? Then I was told how they were an exception and didn't have to be on the supplier list, despite being a supplier. So to me the council were not competitively buying their utilities (by their rule) and I didn't see the system as moral, that my company would have to pay a fee to tender for council work - I have yet to ask my suppliers to pay a fee to supply me.
She told me she would "personally look into it and write back", then took my details. I'm still awaiting the reply, of course. Now if I had had time, I would have reminded her of our discussion. This would have been a bit of sport, but ultimately, what would be the point? None. Just a waste of my time and her neck muscles from nodding along. I would have been left with the "I will look into why you didn't receive a reply" catchphrase - ie not the actual issue.
Those involved in government should try to dispel myths. Engage. Reply. (For the record, I know I'm living in cloud cuckoo land expecting this could ever happen.)
Whilst on the subject of dispelling myths: I do not have a rainbow strap for my guitar and in the event I ever decide to wear sandals I will avoid socks. (NB This sentence could be read metaphorically if you are a sock 'n' sandal wearing, rainbow strapping Christian.)