TOP ELECTION

BALLOT BOX BLUES

It started as a minor infection
An inconvenient irritation
Spin doctors named it ‘General Election’
The fever spread, and it gripped the nation

Symptoms ranged from coughing and sneering
To pressure peaks and palpitations
Speech affected by grunting and jeering
Consultants scripted a publication

‘Manifesto’ (or doctors Prescription?)
Confusing in its presentation
Illegible in its encryption
Hard to swallow in its translation

Campaign slogans provide the solution
‘Keep taking the medication’
‘Does wonders for the constitution’
‘Exceeds every expectation’

No need to miss the fun of the fest
Broadcast on every TV station
Genuine change or same as the rest?
Accept the Party invitation

Respond to the rhetoric, join the debate
Make your vote count in the situation
Cure the condition before it’s too late
Give yourself cause for a celebration

Landslide, or merely majority
First past the post gets the adulation
Remember it’s still a democracy
A process achieved by legislation

Did you go Red, or did you turn Blue?
Do you feel bitterness or elation?
Only four years of this deja-vu
Barring impeachment, assassination



VOTE FOR…?

Parliamentary by-election
Caused by minister’s defection
Cabinet reshuffle pending
Hansard’s minutes need amending

Constituency paralysed
Sworn allegiances compromised
Converted or impulsive whim?
Floating voters sink or swim

Public opinion takes the view
If you don’t vote red, then you’ll vote blue
Voting yellow is hard to swallow
Undecided – who do you follow?

Left of centre you’re a Communist
Right-wing you’re labelled a Fascist
Liberal by your own volition
…A Molotov Cocktail coalition

Secret ballot, X marks the spot
Cast your vote, throw it in the pot
Exit-poll can only guesstimate
Who will be the likely candidate

Opposition wins by a nose
Adding to the government woes
Calls are heard from a certain section
“Put it to a General Election!”

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