A Modern Politician
Although I was born in a feudal family
I am a socialist by conviction.
I was trained to be an engineer,
Yet chose politics as a profession
An out-at-elbow landlord it’s true,
With down-at-heel retainers.
Still I am rather proud of my lineage
Despite all the public disclaimers.
A public school background
And socialist pretensions,
Are de rigeur in my party
Along with a concern for the ‘weaker sections’.
Socialism is my party’s official creed,
An old omnibus in which all sorts can ride.
Former commissars and RSS men
All sitting amicably, side by side.
Actually it does not matter what you believe
The important thing is what you profess.
Socialism is rather chic
And goes down well with the English-language press.
Ideological purity, in any case
Has now gone rather out of date.
Who can afford the luxury of principles
When he has to win the people’s mandate.
In politics what counts is management.
That’s a game in which I am rather skilled.
Who remembered how much power you generate,
Or how many roads you build.
What counts is promise not performance,
In my book that’s a rule of thumb.
You may think I am being clever,
But I would rather be clever than dumb.
