
Politicians and the media inhabit a different world. While this is a huge generalisation and as with all things applies in varying degrees, events this week around the EU referendum, the elections for London Mayor and all the devolved assemblies irrefutably highlight this much expressed complaint and the further widening rift between what drives the elected and the demands of the electorate.
The recent leak of documents from the Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca is just such an attack. Amongst its may revelations, the antics and goings-on within the Westminster Bubble have been brought to light. Whether it is finance, employment, education, health, public transport or whatever service essential to those on the outside in the real world, those playing games within are indeed disconnected. Some borders and boundaries are fixed and easy to recognise. There are signs when crossing across counties or moving between Nations. It is drawn on the map.
Boundaries and red lines and gateways.
Margaret Thatcher, October 31st 1987
It is no surprise that Donald Trump or Nigel Farage are winning popular support when they attack the Bubbles. That they themselves are on the inside makes their actions seem rather cynical, but the effectiveness of simply drinking beer, smoking fags and eating Greggs’ sausage rolls means that we must all enjoy irony. These seem cold and compassionate-less times, maybe colder still when the furnaces go out.