I’m old enough to remember falling asleep watching the news.
I remember getting my comedy from comedians and my politics from politicians – and not the other way around.
I remember where even the suggestion of impropriety, or of immoral or scandalous behaviour would result in – indeed, necessitate – a grovelling explanation.
But the world seems changed.
I’ve watched Boris be ‘sacked’ from his election pundit role, because he avoided questions to promote his book.
I’ve watched an elected MP attack a party for sending volunteers to support a foreign election then jump on a plane to support a foreign election himself.
I’ve watched reason and rationale (albeit not perfect) seem to be defeated by overt bigotry and exclusion. The results are still not known as I type.
This normalisation of grifting; of taking a position of service in order to serve oneself; of doubling-down on lies until they become alternative facts or apathy.
This should show us how fragile democracy is.
…and why we must work harder to ensure that the needs of the many are not plundered for the greed of the few.
