Mammy is a lefty!

My mother and I are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. It was she who registered me as the youngest member of the Sudanese Communist party when I was still a baby. Through the years she taught me a great deal and gave me confidence to find my way even when ‘as a teenager’ it became very evident that my views are far more right leaning than hers, she continued to be very supportive. For example my first enterprise and business venture (a farming social enterprise) was a joint effort between us – she has a great business and economics brain, some of her findings and write ups are still in circulation and being used today.

However, even though politically we don’t see eye to eye, talking with her has always been enjoyable and very informative. Our debates and political discussions can get very heated and even divisive at times – the divides were more balanced when my father was still alive, a diehard Conservative him and I were always on the same side – but since his passing I became out numbered (my sister is a lefty too).

This weekend the topic that dominated our discussions was the Hoon-Hewitt leadership fiasco. So I asked them as Labour supporters what do they think, how do they feel plus how important is changing their leader before the General Election? I was ready for a long and drawn out explanation, with facts, figure and graphs (both are number junkies) but to my surprise the answer was short, simple and very sweet.

Mum said; “We, Labour voters do not care who is on top, or who is leading, because we vote for the party and not the leader. But when the party pisses (her words not mine) us off we’ll just stay home, and now we are pretty pissed off” and my sister agreed.

I was glad to hear it but too scared to ask anymore questions! So changed the subject to Celebrity Big Bother- this time the three of us agreed, we all love Vinnie!