Vote For The Vegetarian Wrap!
A rallying cry for our times
Twice in the past week, I’ve been asked for my opinion on which way to vote. Both times in cafes, both times by people I know — friends in the coffee-making/novel-writing business — who are young enough to be first-time voters.
It’s a privilege. In less interesting times, I’m the old grouch who sits in the corner and occasionally butts into the conversation. I don’t expect to be taken seriously. So I’m touched — and slightly unnerved — to be humoured like this.
[Yes, “humoured”. I deleted a second “taken seriously”. Couldn’t quite get there.]
I told them to vote for what they believe in. Forget winning, or slogans, or denunciations of the other lot. Just — what do you want? Forget “tactical voting” and all that blah. Vote for the party that comes closest to what you want for your future.
Because that’s what the people in power need to know. After the election, they’ll spend serious time working out what the overall vote means. The immediate result gives them today’s political weather; the vote distribution tells them how the tectonic plates are moving.
I can clear whole cafes when I really get going.
Yes, and don’t forget your ID.
The sun is shining and there isn’t a cruise ship in. Quiet day. I shall publish this and then go down into town and express my democratic right to eat a vegetarian wrap at Planted Cafe.
