We have a lovely family from Canada staying this week. They're over in the UK for a month, visiting different cousins and aunts in different counties, and their little tour has brought them to Suffolk for a few days. The dad, who is called Simon, is very chatty, and also genuinely interested in how we run things onsite, as he works in the leisure industry back home.
This morning, we were enjoying a coffee together as I showed him around our main entertainment bar, explaining how things changed during Omicron and how we dealt with any mini outbreaks among the staff during the Summer. The TVs in the bar were tuned to BBC News, which was depressing the nation with discussions about the latest Tory Party leadership contest. Simon watched it for a few minutes and then said, "No offence, but what exactly the Hell is going on with your political system these days?"
I felt my shoulders sag as I explained that I really try very hard not to engage with it at all. I just let it all go on in the background of my life, and try not to get too worried or elated either way. He said he felt the same about his own government, but pointed out that most of the world's population currently seem to be looking at Britain and thinking 'Well, at least we're not in THAT much of a mess!' which is a bit demoralising. The thought that we might be some kind of enjoyable soap opera for the rest of humanity as they watch us being driven off a financial cliff doesn't fill you with pride does it?
And the thought that Boris Johnson might actually be about to be re-elected to lead the party that conspired to throw him out less than three months ago is one that fills me with despair. I may be about to give up on democracy forever.
RC 24-10-22
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