The political class is a front for the money power. We know where that's centred, Britain's state within a state with its separate police force and where Her Maj' must seek permission of its Lord Mayor to enter. Sounds fantastic, but it's true.

I lived in south east London for some years in the late 90s. The gang culture was huge. I lived near one end of a half-mile long road. Only the brave or stupid would walk to the other end after dark 'cause it was that iffy and that was one of the most upmarket streets in Crystal Palace. The drugs trade, the catalyst for most of the criminality, has grown since then which is reflected in the number of stabbings nowadays. In places like Hackney and Peckham it was much worse.

The social decay is most noticeable with fewer and fewer services in return for ever more Council Tax. Libraries, public conveniences, lollipop men and women and refuse collections disappearing, the list goes on.