The Recent UK Election

A couple of weeks ago Don and I saw "Cable Street: A New Musical" off-Broadway at 59e59. The show is about the 1936 uprising against Oswald Mosely and the fascists in a working-class London neighborhood. It is the kind of show that lends itself to talking about politics. It is easy to assume that everyone in the audience is either pro-democracy or at least smart enough not to disagree with the message that fascism is bad, democracy is good.

We got to talking to a British couple at the small theater. Their daughter, Lu, is the costume designer for Cable Street. I've taken to following her on Instagram, where I am learning just how much goes into deciding what actors should wear on stage.

After the show the mum said she is worried about the May 7th election and asked if we could send good thoughts. I asked who she wanted to win, and she replied with "anyone but the Reform party." If you followed the UK elections, you know the Reform party won many seats ousting members of the Labour and Conservative parties. Technically there are 13 parties represented in their government, but these were the main two. From the little bit of research I did, the Reform party is akin to our MAGA party.

I sent Lu a message to pass on to her mum. I'm here for her. I am also disheartened to hear these candidates have their grip on her country. Unlike the well-meaning people who tried to console me as I was crying in Australia in November 2024, I won't even pretend it will all be fine. I've seen how destructive the opposition can be, and how hard it will be to get on the other side of it.

May saner heads prevail soon.

May we learn from the past and do better faster.