Worship Thy Leader By Lucy Wormald (she/her)
Lucy explores how our loyalty to political leaders can foster a political-tunnel vision, akin to how many of us would characterise the foundations of cults.
I am not especially politically savvy. I briefly forgot I wasn’t especially politically savvy and agreed to write an in-depth piece on political cliques and polarisation and then I remembered, I am not especially politically savvy. I am not informed enough to write it with the necessary eloquence or wit. Publishing such a piece would be akin to me standing up in front of a large crowd, legs a-trembling, sounding out large words into a microphone with feedback issues.
For two days I felt sorry for myself about my lack of acuity. I had several daydreams in which I was a tremendously successful political commentator who executed profound and complex arguments which others, failing to follow, decorated with reactions of awe and adulation. Unsuccessful in bringing this dream to quick fruition (a nasty shock), I was left to confront an overwhelming sense of political blindness. And therein I found my fodder.
I claim to subscribe heartily to the left. Due to parallels between my ideals and theirs I confidently support a mish-mash of Greens and Labour and foster a fervent flame for Bernie Sanders. I want to see climate action and a move towards a socialist economy front and centre of political agendas. I would eagerly roll my eyes and huff in somebody’s general direction should they toe the other side of the line. There is an element of unfounded
25
