POETRY: LABOUR SUPPORTERS WHO VOTED TORY

Henry Normal, co-writer of award-winning TV and film shows such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Paul Calf, and producer of Gavin and Stacey and Alan Partridge, among many others, has written a poem for Northern Soul in response to the recent election result.

LABOUR SUPPORTERS WHO VOTED TORY

They’ve tried flushing

they’ve tried bleach

but it won’t shift

They’ve tried scrubbing

with the little plastic brush

that matches the bath

They’ve even been reduced to

scouring on hands and knees

cursing their misfortune

It is never mentioned in conversation

It is ever between them

It is a guilt they share

They would move house

but for the prying of surveyors

They are looking for someone to blame

They are waiting for the other to depart

They leave the lid down

and feign problems with the plumbing

should people visit