Never let politics get in the way of a good giggle

The evening was going fairly well until the subject of food banks came up. Considering the blue sky spring sunshine evening outside, there were a surprising number of potential voters in the hall of Stanmore Community College.

I was born in Stanmore and my family have a huge connection to the place. My sister has her shop there; my brother took his A levels in this very college, while I misspent my entire youth in the place.

Politics has always been a subject central to our family, so excited and intrigued by this most unusual of UK elections, it’s natural that my mum and I attend the local hustings while I’m staying with her in London.

Raised by a brace of dedicated Conservatives, my brother introduced me to socialism at the tender age of thirteen and despite endless heated debates (I gather non-Jewish people call them ‘rows’) little has changed in my family’s political outlook.

Contrary to the endlessly patronising assurances I endured from adults throughout my teenage years, my views have not changed as I’ve grown up. My sense of social justice is as strong today as four decades ago.

It all comes down to housing, health and education.

Until everyone has a safe home, access to healthcare at all levels and an education that not only prepares us for life but instils within us the desire to continue learning, I will continue to agree with Mahatma Gandhi. When asked what he thought of Western civilisation he replied:

“I think it would be a good idea.”

So far these hustings of England’s Harrow East constituency have felt quite convivial and good-tempered. Upon on the stage sit five candidates with a variety of skin colour that implies a civilised society.

Proceedings might be running slightly smoother if there were microphones available, but although it’s impossible to hear questions asked by anyone sitting in front of you, the politicians’ answers are so predictable, we manage to deduce the questions.

This constituency is a key marginal, with the distinction of being the only Conservative-held seat in the country with a majority of ethnic minorities. The polls suggest that Labour might take it, and their young candidate, Uma Kumaran, is doing an excellent job tonight. Gradually the candidates descend into their familiar trenches, each party representative trying to outdo the other. The incumbent Tory MP Bob Blackman claims that unemployment in Harrow is “...now a thing of the past.”

If so, I’m impressed, yet somehow I doubt it.

He promises the Conservatives will build 88,000 houses.

Uma then claims Labour will build 200,000 houses. Emma Wallace, the slightly ineffectual Green Party Candidate, who sometimes seems unsure exactly what her party’s policy is, refers once again to her notes and perkily pipes up to announce the Greens will build 500,000 homes.

To read all of Charlie’s column, please see this week’s Galway City  Tribune.