Chapter 31 In which the logician explains why a tactical vote for the Lib-Dems is essential

'So are you saying that the Piddlebackside blog is not just a bit of fun? That there's a serious side to it?' asked Loretta, her hands cupped around a mug of tea.
'Absolutely. The key here is the internet - it has given ordinary people a voice, enables like-minded people to connect with each other, and allows people to challenge the opinions of the mainstream media. For example, look at the last census in 2001. Out of 129,706 Westphalians 800 put their religion down as 'Jedi' after emails were circulated encouraging people to do so. I know 'Jedi' hasn't been listed as an official religion, but it demonstrates the power of mass communication.'
'I see. So you're saying the bloggers are trying to influence the way people think and vote?'
'Of course. First of all, in the realm of local government it allows for a much more balanced view of Dr Pangloss's actions. It may be my imagination, but there seems to have been a certain reduction in the number of his big ideas which have been publicized since the bloggers started. And secondly, where the next general election is concerned, it could have a real impact on the outcome of a key marginal like Westphalia-on-Sea if people realise that the only way to make their vote count in a first-past-the-post system is to vote tactically. But perhaps more importantly, the internet has provided the first step towards more independent thought. Here read this, particularly the last two sentences.'
He twisted the computer screen so Loretta could see it, and she silently read:

'Private capital tends to become concentrated in few hands, partly because of competition among the capitalists, and partly because technological development and the increasing division of labour encourage the formation of larger units of production at the expense of the smaller ones. The result of these developments is an oligarchy of private capital the enormous power of which cannot be effectively checked even by a democratically organised political society. This is true since the members of legislative bodies are selected by political parties, largely financed or otherwise influenced by private capitalists who, for all practical purposes, separate the electorate from the legislature. The consequence is that the representatives of the people do not in fact sufficiently protect the interests of the underprivileged sections of the population. Moreover, under existing conditions, private capitalists inevitably control, directly or indirectly, the main sources of information (press, radio, education). It is thus extremely difficult, and indeed in most cases quite impossible, for the individual citizen to come to objective conclusions and to make intelligent use of his political rights.'

When she had finished reading she looked at him and said: 'Yes, when I think of the influence of Rupert Murdoch, the big supermarkets, international oil barons and Lord Ashcroft bankrolling the Tory Party it all seems very apposite. Did you write it?'

'No I didn't, I'm afraid. Einstein wrote it back in 1949, but as you say, it all rings pretty true today.'

'Even so, what point are you making? That the internet will enable us to take on big business and the media corporations?'

'Not exactly, but used intelligently it has the potential to bring about victory on a much smaller scale - keeping the Tories out of Westphalia-on-Sea at the next election, for example. And don't forget Lao Tzu's famous quote: 'A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'. Do you think when Swampy climbed his first tree and became an eco-warrior he ever would have thought that ten years later the Tories would be rushing to redesign their logo and tell everyone how much they cared about the environment?'

'Yes, I've often wondered if anyone is actually taken in by all this drivel about 'green this' and 'eco-friendly that',' said Loretta.

'I doubt it. Anyway, after stealing the Tories' clothes and sticking with a 'right-wing' agenda it would appear that Gordon Brown and New Labour are now presiding over an economic meltdown of their own making. However, the idea that a slightly different right-wing agenda under the leadership of old Etonians and ex-members of the Bullingdon club would be a better option is simply the stuff of nightmares, so anything these bloggers can do to avert that particular disaster is all right by me - and of course, if we get to send Charlie Windsor packing in the process, so much the better.'

'Ooh, absolutely, cooed Loretta. I'll certainly spread the word that anything other than a Lib-Dem vote is a wasted vote. So how will the establishment, or the Tories, react to the blog?'

'Remember the Gandhi quote? they've already tried to ignore it, and ridicule it, so presumably they will try to fight it as well - and then we'll win.'