11/04/2015

What's in a name - for the political parties? Did you know that people with particular names are more likely to vote in particular ways? And even the spelling can make a noticeable difference. So who's winning the Charlottes, the Nigels and the Annes?

Plus, how the numbers game in a future hung parliament might unfold - a mathematician takes us through the equations of power,

And after Ed Miliband's debate notes reveal he's drawing on Wordsworth's poem, Character of the Happy Warrior, poet and performer, Ian McMillan, composes an election ode and ponders the relationship between poetry and politics.

Hugo Rifkind ringmasters a quirky, irreverent take on the election campaign - with a campaign ditty from Capital Chorus.

And this is Ian McMillan's special election poem:

THE HAPPY WARRIORS: A CAUTIONARY TALE

Who are these Happy Warriors, who are they?
Who spout poetic soundbites every day;
They all campaign in poetry we're told,
'Cos governing in prose makes them feel old.

So: verse your way through this endless campaign
Twist old Red Shelley in the pouring rain:
Pretend you're Keats as you address the throng:
Supply-side economics done in song
As memorable as a nightingale's
Can put the wind of victory in your sails.
The voters will be friendly to your plan
If you can make your ideas rhyme and scan!

Remember, though, some poets can die young
Feet falter on the very bottom rung;
Shall I compare you when on polling day
All your fine bardic language falls away
And all the mark I need to make is this
Upon the ballot paper Ae Fond Kiss
(As Burns said).

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