It may be vaguely true that I have never ruled a country. Not Scotland or even New Zealand. In fact, I have never been to New Zealand or had much desire to. Bungalows and mountains I imagine.
The very idea of it exhausts me but this is why I very much relate to Nicola Sturgeon and Jacinda Ardern and their various fuel deficits.
Ardern said she has “no more left on the tank” (nothing to do with polls, phew!) and Sturgeon responded by saying she had plenty” left in the tank” and then she didn’t. Maybe she read the dials wrong. It happens.
Look, I know there are lots of reasons why Sturgeon was leaking unleaded everywhere and have written about them before.
The ‘putting rapists in women’s prisons’ policy was never going to go down well. Others who know much more than me about Scotland will talk about all her other failures (education, drugs deaths, ferries, the financial doings of her husband etc). As well as the gender madness.
But for a while she was kinda great wasn’t she? Stomping about in those towering high heels? I was all for independence and still am. Decentralisation is my thing. Also, she actually answered questions and read books.
The bar is set so low now for politicians that this is seen as incredible. Friends in Scotland were always less convinced by her than I was. She was the sort of woman who didn’t slam doors shut but slammed them open. But only for some, it now seems.
But never mind that, I am interested in this fuel in the tank business and when you can use it as an excuse. Could I phone up work and say “Sorry I just don’t feel I have any more left in the tank?” Can I say it you?
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