Writing is political, as is doubt

I wanted to give myself time to write this, to not react viscerally to the results of the English local elections last Thursday (and actually the worsening state of the world all round), although my viscera have been causing me massive discomfort and worry since Easter Monday.

I also delayed because I have been editing my Crete novel, and yesterday said to M that I was tempted just to delete the whole damn thing (all versions, all notes, everything) because I thought it was dire. She said I should let her read it before I did anything that extreme. So I’ll push through the second edit. I doubt all my books (you’ll have figured that by now unless you haven’t been paying attention).

The results of the English local elections intially acted on me like a brick wall – I could no longer see the sense in my poetry, my polemic, my songs, my novels, especially the current one (I always deceive myself into thinking it has no political message, until I start reading it again). I’m starting to shake off that feeling now.

Here’s what I think the Labour government needs to do.

This is not the time to change leader. Instead, it’s time for the entire cabinet to change the direction of this government, time for collective responsibility for all the errors that have been made since July 2024.

• Actually mean it when you said that government should be for country not party. We’ve seen no sign of this from the government to date, nor from any of the opposition parties. So do things that benefit country not party. Like these:
• Immediately update the electoral system to an effective one of Proportional Representation, preferably the Single Transferable Vote method. Give every vote a voice. And the fact that it finally, belatedly, brings an end to the two-party system is a good thing. Do it now. There is no reason not to, and any number of reasons for doing so.
• Stop with the anti-immigrant rhetoric and legislation. The truth is that this approach had already started when Ed Miliband was leader. It’s unacceptable. It’s singing to a racist tune. Welcome immigrants. Emphasise their hugely positive cultural, economic and healthcare system contributions. Close down racism. Call out racism.
• Immediately establish closer ties with the European Union with an immediate return to Freedom Of Movement, with the aim of rejoining the EU as soon as possible. The data unequivocally and objectively proves that being outside the EU has deprived the UK of economic growth. No referendum needed, especially as the 2016 referendum was advisory and not binding.
• Stop selling arms to Israel. Stop supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Zionism is nothing but racism in a different cloak. Anti-Zionism is NOT anti-semitism.
• Stand up more powerfully to Trump. Rejoining the EU and the Single Market, setting up an European defence force, and establishing a powerful European block against the Far Right (especially with Hungary now under a moderate government) is the best way to counteract any US aggression.
• Tax the rich a lot more.
• Stop being inflexible and dogmatic.

There is no point me going on – those are the main changes to be made.

There is no point me stopping writing – that would be inflicting even more pain on myself.

But there is every point in me focusing on one creative endeavour at a time. The second edit of the Crete novel (which is political) has to be that focus.