The sheer, bare faced audacity of the UK/EU establishment is something to behold. And why not? After all we “peasants” were conquered in 1066, so it stands to reason that we subjects should fall into line. I recall at numerous lunches I “enjoyed” as head of the Chambers of Commerce, being lectured by a Tory grandee who now appears to have fluid political allegiances. It was quite obvious that his kind considered democracy to be merely a mechanism for the acquiescence by the masses to the things the establishment wished. He said as much, in terms, on more than one occasion. I only mention this because it is a common theme amongst the not so common people, our superiors and betters – you know, those who tell us that they are more intelligent. This attitude runs across the political spectrum, “despite” (to coin a phrase) that it is laughable. I remember being at the Labour Party Conference in 2015, pen poised in anticipation of spoken policy gems, while listening attentively to a Labour shadow spokesman, who is also politically fluid. When finished there was nothing on the page, so vacuous was he, but still full of righteous entitlement. From the moment our very superior, former Prime Minister made it clear he preferred soundbite to substantive negotiations, the establishment have worked tirelessly to get what they want. In June 2016 they got a temporary surprise. With the democratic will of the people against them, it just became a little more difficult, the optics were not good, but why should that change a “divine right to rule”? This tragi-comedy has descended into political pantomime, albeit currently out of season, and it will soon come around in the never-ending story of Brexit delay and obfuscation. And the characters are emerging, ready for a finale. The original seven dwarfs of Change UK have become eleven; for sure modern politics is inhabited by political pygmies by comparison with yesteryear. The wicked stepmother continues to try to push her establishment agenda through Parliament, asking once again who is fairest of them all. This time dressed up with a nod to the socialist agenda, they in the clouds at the top of the No. 10 tower will stop at nothing and have even rolled out a smiley “Buttons” in the shape of the “adorable” Matt Hancock, hoping he has learned to count the parliamentary blind mice. Forgivably, I can’t think of a role for what’s his name, Rory Stewart. That great convenor of the one nation, Sir Nicholas Soames, continues to play Widow Twankey. Quite obviously a man of the people and not of the establishment, I remember he once told me he had never been in a supermarket and had his groceries sent from Fortnums. I wonder whether he knows that the EU apply tariffs which protect rich landowners at the expense of ordinary consumers? I bet he does. Pantomime always nods at cultural references and undoubtedly Gollum has made his appearance, speaking in backward riddles which are only intelligible in the context of a general election, which is “mine”! “Mine it is,” says the beardy one. Truly a useful servant of the establishment. And then we have the wise, old wizard of doublespeak, where Liberal means illiberal and democratic means anti-democracy. But he has now transmogrified from Cinders into a princess, whose name I can’t quite remember. Every time Juncker or Selmayr or Barnier appear on the establishment stage we will be able to call out “he’s behind you” – because they certainly are. Undoubtedly it would be comic if it were not so tragic. They, the establishment, continue to scheme and hatch plots to defeat the democratic will of the people. So brazen are they, that few now try to hide their determination to stop Brexit. However, there is one other vital character in plays from Shakespeare to pantomime: a character who determines the flow of events and who is always given the last word, that is the narrator. Enter stage right, once again, our Brexit narrator, Nigel Farage. However entitled, arrogant and ghastly, or loved, adored and cheered are the characters in our Brexit pantomime, I suspect they have not yet come to terms with the likelihood that their entrance and exit – their role, beginning and end – will likely be put in context, if not determined by, the narrator. And Brexit? Well it will be alright in the end and, if it is not alright, it is certainly not the end. Let us not forget, the narrator always has the last word. Photocredit: Smoobs