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There's always been a section of the population that's opted out of politics, but it's always a minority. Sorry if I disregarded them. Check the raw data and you'll appreciate that the ONLY significant fall in political engagement occurred after Tony Blair was elected. It's not hard to appreciate why that would be. http://www.ukpolitical.info/Turnout45.htm But since 1997 people have clearly been becoming increasing more politically engaged. No one has to watch the "debate", but I'd imagine anyone who'd visit this topic is at least curious. My bet is that this topic will be well down on the site's hit list, but that's no reason not to run it, and invite the opinion of those who did. I'm really sorry you find me "smug and superior", but at core that's exactly what I'm not! I believe that everyone has the capacity to change their life for the better, and that there's generally very little difference between our thinking ability. That's a humbling thought that we all need to take on board. However I believe that there are a class of people who step forward to do that thinking for us; that their motives are generally suspect, and that our town has cruelly suffered as a result. I'm generally not talking here about the people who stuck with the place and who's names are sometimes preserved on our place names, or even significant figures in the early Labour party. This is much more a modern phenomena. I don't accept the popular belief that formal "education" is the solution to everything, and a path to universal advancement. And, I don't believe that ability to communicate clearly is in any way indicative of ability to think. Life has taught me that creative and independent thinking is only possible if you turn your own brain on, and that nature rewards INDEPENDENT thinking. Too often formal education is used as an a cypher for indoctrination and conformity. i.e. I'm just an average lazy Joe with a tiny few luck breaks who, through life experience, is urging other average Joe's to stop accepting the spoon feeding of a elitist class who parasitically advances themselves by direct lies and pandering to populist myths. That's a major reason why I don't engage directly in politics myself, but that doesn't mean that I'm opting out - anything but! If this comes over as smugness or a superior attitude to you, then hard cheese! I will continue my crusade to better the lot of everyone in Bedlington until my dying day, and hopefully beyond. I don't expect any kudos, or formal recognition, or indeed want any; I do this simply because I owe it to my hard working, humble, and amazing ancestors, who were also committed to self advancement of all in Bedlington. Thank you for providing the opportunity to formalise my late-in-life mission statement.

Once again everyone, MANY THANKS for your kind wishes. You TRULY are a remarkable crowd, and Keith spoke very highly about each and every one of you. Needless to say, I am struggling very hard to come to terms with Keith's death. Last week was a terrible week for us. It was my mother in laws funeral on Wednesday 18th, then the bombshell with Keith on the 20th. March hasn't been a great month for Liz or myself. HOWEVER, life has to go on for us both, and we have very fond memories of our departed loved ones. It IS a fitting day for Keith's funeral, April Fools Day. He sure was blessed with a brilliant sense of humour, and I'm very fortunate that I have witnessed it all my life. Let's face it, with a face like his, he NEEDED a sense of humour :-) SORRY BRO, but I had to have the last word. Gonna miss you immensely. Alan