FAITH IN FICKLE VOTERS

AFTER Dunkirk, King George VI inspected sea defences on the south coast with a party of dignitaries. The story goes he asked the Chief Rabbi what we thought of our chances.

‘It will probably be alright, sir,’ he replied, ‘but if I were you I would put some of the colonies in your wife’s name.’

I didn’t want Brexit, or Donald Trump, but those are two democratic results. I am not going to join those who don’t accept democratic votes – we have many in Scotland – or panic. Despite imminent threats from those results I don’t think it is time to put democracy or my belief in my fellow man in my spouse’s name.

After 1997 and 2001 the Labour Party looked unbeatable. Now they are led by Jeremy Corbyn. I have friends in the SNP so scarred by decades of defeat, they still expect to lose despite three landslides.

But if your belief in the judgment of ordinary people has evaporated, console yourself with this thought: the public is notoriously fickle.