I know, it's daft to even mention it. I'm sure we're all meeja'd out what with the Holyrood Elections and then all the EU Referendum chat. So if you're fed up of reading election manifestos and watching the entire spectrum of political debate - Seriously, Gary Tank Commander doing election interviews (scraping the bottom of barrels takes on a whole new meaning) - then how about looking back into the past...
Because you know what, politics, and elections, have been with us for a long time.
If you're into fictionalising your politics, why not take advantage of McStorytellers special election offer.
Read S.R.Crockett's 'The Old Tory' free, gratis and for nothing other than a wee bit of your time... right here
http://www.mcstorytellers.com/the-old-tory.html
(of course like all good election talk, we're 'spinning' It's free to read ANY story on McStorytellers ANY time and there are literally hunner's to choose from.
If you're more into fact and you sort of think you remember what Socialism was and what it stood for (you'd be hard pressed not to think it's a pure fiction these days eh?) then there is a brand new OLD publication out which might just get you thinking.
In 1941 Mr James George of Aberdeen wrote to The Gateway Journal as follows: ‘World-Mending is most interesting and informative and of course you will ultimately put it in book form? Please accept my order for a copy now.’
It has taken 75 years for ‘60 Years of World-Mending’ to reach publication but on May 2nd it will finally be available for all, in paperback format. Written in serial form from 1940, James Leatham's autobiography was left incomplete at the time of his death in 1945, and covers his life from birth in Aberdeen in 1865 until his move to Turriff in 1916. But the retrospective nature of the work means that his unique social commentary continues through two World Wars and is a worthwhile read for anyone interested, not just in the birth of the Socialist movement, but in culture and society from the mid 19th to the mid 20th century.
‘60 Years of World-Mending’ is published by The Deveron Press as part of their centenary celebrations and you can pick up your paperback copy for a paltry £9.99 from www.unco.scot RIGHT NOW.
International Labour Day is (you may remember) on May 1st. Of course that's conveniently a Sunday this year and the Monday is a Bank Holiday. Does that make Labour Day May 1st or 2nd? Who knows (or cares) any more.
And last but not least, while we're on the path of politics (yes, sorry that we've missed out Lib Dems, Greens, UKIP in Scotland (come on? really?) and the Rise of Rise) and whether Independence is coming any time soon and whether an Independent Scotland would be 'too wee, too poor, too stupid' and whether indeed you should give both votes to SNP and why you might do that... look to the past once more and that means looking over the water to Ireland. Home Rule they called it. The Easter Rising was people taking things into their own hands. Why not read Brendan Gisby's 'The Patriot Game' and think on. It's the Gateway Story of the Month. (also available in 3 parts from McStorytellers) And talk about giving it away, you can even download it for free!
Of course Leatham may be too heavy for your tastes and if you're looking for something light, kids-stuff you might say, why not get hold of a copy of The Complete TattyBogle. Jacks' been quiet this year due to exams, but what he has to say on politics and culture give Leatham a real run for his money... at least that's what his Uncle Tam would have said. Pick up a copy HERE for under a fiver (with free p+p for orders before May 5th if you quote MCRENEGADE as your coupon code! )
There's plenty of good reading while still managing to avoid the political junk mail that is dropping through the letter box. There may be no escaping from politics at the moment, but at least you can choose what you read! This has NOT been a party political broadcast brought to you by McRenegades and respects your rights to believe whatever the hell you like - but encourages you to inform your beliefs by going beyond the soundbite spoonfed contemporary claptrap found across all media platforms. Be Bold, be Brave, Engage your brain! This election will pass. Referendums will come and go. Independence may or may not happen in our lifetimes but politics is much more than meeja hype!
And hey, don't forget to vote next Thursday... there's still plenty of folk around the world who don't have that privilege and as Leatham says 'if you want to escape from being badly governed from your point of view, you must take a hand in the business yourself'!