February politics..out comes the knives.

February politics..out comes the knives...It's an early morning in Ystradgynlais, in Iowa conspiracy theories are legion and multiplying. I spent much of yesterday hearing reports and observations of the Labour leadership campaign and the myriad tides of ambition, ideology and revenge that run through it Speculations of and about conferences, annual general meetings and meetings abound and as the little robins of mid Wales hop maliciously and mysteriously we all consider February and the weeks to come across the political firmament and the beasts that battle it out in ballots to come. There is something deadly in politics in February wherever and whoever you are.. From CLP to branch meeting and on to April 4 th the knives are out, would be candidates officers are everywhere. Speculation, projection and displacement are the orders of the day. Who wants what, who desires what and who will triumph feed the black swans landing in vast flocks. Events, and particularly unforseen events are seized upon and are used, manipulated and transformed into the tools of ambition and the weapons of metaphorical political assassination. The left are not kind to one another, treatment at least ragmnges from gossip and interpretation of rules and intention, from paranoia and insecurity to the extremity in other historical periods to the gulag.

This is Februray in the Labour Party, in the Democratic Party in Iowa, in Ystradgynlais and District Labour Party and amongst the members and groupings of Brecon and Radnor CLP. These are the stakes, the ambitions and the rivalries revealed A cycle of elections begin both internal and external As Brexit Island bathes in a fake glow of independence ., the tectonic plates in Scotland shift to wards independence and support for independence climbs towards 30% in Wales. In Northern Ireland support for Irish unification grows as within the Irish Republic Sinn Fein threaten to become the largest party. It's February, it's high political drama and our loves and hates are inflamed by the events and people we encounter. February is the cheapest and cruelest political month breeding monsters and narcissists out of the dead ground of the general election and of Brexit. Welcome to February..


 Dice are rolling, the knives are out
Would-be presidents are all around
I don't say they mean harm
But they'd each give an arm
To see us six feet underground

[Eva]
It doesn't matter what those morons say
Our nation's leaders are a feeble crew
There's only twenty of them anyway
What is twenty next to millions who
Are looking to you?

All you have to do is sit and wait
Keeping out of everybody's way
We'll ... you'll be handed power on a plate
When the ones who matter have their say
And with chaos installed
You can reluctantly agree to be called

[Peron]
There again we could be foolish not to quit while we're ahead
For distance lends enchantment, and that is why
All exiles are distinguished, more important, they're not dead
I could find job satisfaction in Paraguay

[Eva]
This is crazy defeatist talk
Why commit political suicide, there's no risk
There's no call for any action at all
When you have unions on your side

[Workers]
A new Argentina, the chains of the masses untied
A new Argentina, the voice of the people
Cannot be denied

[Eva]
There is only one man who can lead any workers' regime
He lives for your problems, he shares your ideals and your dream
He supports you, for he loves you
Understands you, is one of you
If not, how could he love me?

[Workers]
A new Argentina, the workers' battle song
A new Argentina, the voice of the people
Rings out loud and long

[Eva]
Now I am a worker, I've suffered the way that you do
I've been unemployed, and I've starved and I've hated it too
But I found my salvation in Peron, may the nation
Let him save them as he saved me

[All]
A new Argentina, a new age about to begin
A new Argentina, we face the world together
And no dissent within

[Peron]
There again we could be foolish not to quit while we're ahead
I can see us many miles away, inactive
Sipping cocktails on a terrace, taking breakfast in bed
Sleeping easy, doing nothing, it's attractive

[Eva]
Don't think I don't think like you
I often get those nightmares too
They always take some swallowing
Sometimes it's very difficult to keep momentum
If it's you that you are following
Don't close doors, keep an escape clause
Because we might lose the Big Apple

But would I have done what I did
If I hadn't thought, if I hadn't known
We would take the country

Peron has resigned from the army and this we avow
The descamisados are those he is marching with now
He supports you, for he loves you
Understands you, is one of you
If not, how could he love me?

[All]
A new Argentina, the chains of the masses untied
A new Argentina, the voice of the people
Cannot be, and must not be denied

[Che]
How annoying that they have to fight elections for their cause
The inconvenience, having to get a majority
If normal methods of persuasion fail to win them applause
There are other ways of establishing authority