There were opposing points of view in Classical Athens, resolved through debates in the Agora, based on fine argumentation and reasoning. That is before demagogues took over and gradually led to the city’s fall in eminence. It would be nice if local history could inform thinking as much as Ancient Greece can do, but unfortunately few historians have yet appeared capable of writing objectively, without a clannish or political bias. Instead, there are as many revisionist views of history as attempts to establish facts. There may often be no exact parallels with the past but today’s opponents seem merely bent on scoring political points – though awkward interventions often lead to own goals. Lethe seems to cloud members’ brains so they forget what they’ve said or done in the past, either as a matter of convenience or as a result of incipient dementia.

How often do Opposition members rise in the Assembly to express matters of principle or come up with new policies? In democracies, people are attracted by charismatic figures but, in the better instances, those with progressive ideas. When applying a little WTP (wisdom, thoughtfulness and prudence for those who only occasionally consult daemones), you wonder what any of the political parties stands for. Obviously you attract a particular section of the population, although your daddy also reached other groupings through his charisma and accessibility. He even extended an arm to some very fringe elements.

Even in Athens, politics was centred around leaders but here they are either increasingly ancient or ancients’ descendants. There were no signs of the hereditary system in Ancient Athens, although what happened in Rome is another matter, and no laughing one at that. It’s difficult to tell one politico from another when it comes to cronyism, the adept use of a balai fatak and a thirst for power. How does your gang stand out? You’ve not yet matched Hermes’ skill in social relations although, when you’ve acted a trifle inappropriately, like him it was always with a certain gracefulness. But is a calm exterior enough?

For the moment, no-one really understands why you left the government – unless it was to negotiate a split premiership. You attacked those who left your party although, unlike you, they didn’t cross the floor but stayed with the alliance which brought them to power. Both sides can be right but logic and consistency are desirable assets. If that eastern cameraman should have resigned at once, then what about the driver who had an accident in Bois-Marchand? Now you’re playing various cards but nobody’s sure what the game is. It can’t be solitaire, more likely paplu (Indian rummy) or couillon (popular in the Low Countries). You can’t attack anyone for playing friends and neighbours as you’re a known addict. What a tightrope politics is! It must be very difficult to garner fans amongst other clans whilst fighting to draw Creole support away from your immediate rival. You could start off with minority groupings as Gaëtan did so well, although it may be more difficult to attract others – unless you stand for something. Religious buildings keep popping up like mushrooms, so how about constructing several temples to Dionysos? They’d receive a broader welcome than zealots would like to imagine, especially if they can sell duty-free alcohol. That would revive the concept of a duty-free island, even if it was never clear what that actually meant. They’d also make great tourist attractions. You could always officiate as High Priest if all else fails..

Yours sincerely,
Epi Phron