the brilliantly leaping gazelle

Perhaps I’m alone in thinking that Tim Fallon is a master of irony of the very highest order, inasmuch as he is leader of the Liberal Democrats whilst being neither a liberal nor a democrat. Proof of this is his pledge – oft repeated – that if elected, the Liberal Democrats will hold a second referendum on Britain’s membership of the E.U. Anyone who foolishly thought that the first referendum was conclusive proof of the settled will of the people, expressed in a free and fair democratic process, well tough!

Tim Fallon knows better. He isn’t a pompous, opportunist seeking to make political advantage out of the unhappiness of people who wanted to Remain. Perish the thought. Rather, he’s offering us another chance. Because– and this but one of arguments in favour of holding another referendum I’ve heard many times – that people who voted to Leave weren’t fully aware of what they were voting for. This raises the question of whether those who voted to Remain were fully aware of what they were voting for? How many of us have read the iTunes terms and conditions before pressing the ‘agree’ button?

And it makes me think of what would happen if Tim Fallon came second in the Olympic 100m Final? Would ne demand that the race be run again until he won? Would he blame everyone else for his defeat? And what about this election? I mean, if he wins his seat, is the second placed candidate is entitled to ask for the whole constituency election to be run again? Democracy works both ways. You get the vote, but you also have to abide by the decision. I voted to Remain, but if there was a referendum tomorrow, I’d vote Leave on principle.

And on a rather facile note – but no more facile than he is being in pledging a second referendum – given that he is a devout Christian, shouldn’t he just forgive those who voted to leave and possibly pray for them instead? After all, there is more rejoicing in the eye of a needle when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

That’s it! He’s not like an angry toddler, throwing a temper tantrum because he can’t get his own way; instead Tim has selflessly come to save us from ourselves!