T’was in the town of Northam
In a Spring election year
The time when politicians
Suddenly appear
With rosettes big as sunflowers
And a salesman’s slick handshake
And pleading eyes just like my dog’s
When he smells I’m eating cake
‘Can I count on you to vote for me
In this election year?
I’m fighting for the policies
That you and I hold dear.
I listen to the people
So please get out and vote
I’m completely independent
Within my party’s coat.’
‘And just what are your policies?’
I tried to ask of him
‘ I’m just a straight plain talker
I don’t believe in spin’.
‘So just what are your policies?’
I questioned him in vain
‘I listen to the people’
He informed me once again.
‘You’re on the Plan’s Committee
I recognise your mug.
You dine out with developers
At the local country club.’
‘What are you suggesting?’
He bared his teeth at me.
‘Have your interests all been listed
In the Members’ Registry?’
‘You stood as independent
Last election time
And then became a Tory
Six months down the line.
At the heart of all your thinking
Is – what’s in it for me.
Your just a willing lackey
Of local industry.’
T’was in the town of Northam
In a Spring election year
The time when politicians
Suddenly appear
With rosettes big as sunflowers
And a salesman’s slick handshake
And pleading eyes just like my dog’s
When he smells I’m eating cake
‘Can I count on you to vote for me
In this election year?
I’m fighting for the policies
That you and I hold dear.
I listen to the people
So please get out and vote
I’m completely independent
Within my party’s coat.’
‘And just what are your policies?’
I tried to ask of him
‘ I’m just a straight plain talker
I don’t believe in spin’.
‘So just what are your policies?’
I questioned him in vain
‘I listen to the people’
He informed me once again.
‘You’re on the Plan’s Committee
I recognise your mug.
You dine out with developers
At the local country club.’
‘What are you suggesting?’
He bared his teeth at me.
‘Have your interests all been listed
In the Members’ Registry?’
‘You stood as independent
Last election time
And then became a Tory
Six months down the line.
At the heart of all your thinking
Is – what’s in it for me.
Your just a willing lackey
Of local industry.’
‘I’ll tell you what I’m looking for
In my local Councillor.
A person with a vision,
Someone who will roar,
Who understands the forces
That shape our world today,
Who will fight to heal our planet
‘Cos there’s no other way.’
‘Your vision is consuming
More and more and more
And raiding the resources
That nature holds in store
For every generation
Who’ll ever live on earth –
You know the current cost of things
But not their real worth’.
‘You’re mad’ he said ‘You’re mad’ said he
‘ There goes my mobile phone’
I said ‘I’ll still remind you
You’ll reap what you have sown’.
He said – ‘ You’re an idealist
As green as green can be’
I said – ‘I am a realist,
You’ll die the same as me.’
‘Our little world is finite
Seven billion live on earth
And half of them are starving
And seen of little worth.
They want the same as you have
And you say – they’ll have their day
To gorge themselves like you do
And let their children pay.’
‘You’re mad’ he said ‘You’re mad’ said he
‘ There goes my mobile phone’
I said ‘I’ll still remind you
You’ll reap what you have sown’.
He said – ‘ You’re an idealist
As green as green can be’
I said – ‘I am a realist,
You’ll die the same as me.’