"Not In My Name"

Don’t get me wrong
I agree with free speech
Even if it’s absolute nonsense
That you preach.
There is a reason Jimbo’s no hero
His popularity was less than zero.
Maybe we could have a referendum
To confirm this…
That’s not serious
I’m taking the piss.
This is a man who loved the U.K.
So much so he didn’t want to stay.
Born in Paris. Died in Spain
Loved our country for the tax gain
Hated the Euro, loved the pound
Just couldn’t spend sterling
As he was never around.
Spoilt rich boy who wanted it all
Come back party political
But hardly the most analytical.
The great British eccentric
Full of flannel
After the vote he’s back
Over the Channel.
Can you remember what
Came through your door
He knew how to persuade voters
On that score.
Five million videos
To ensure your vote
Not that I’m one to gloat
You lost your deposit
Try as you might
Enough VHS tapes
For their own landfill site.
When it came to the count
You fell flat on your face
You came nowhere
In the General Election race
Showing no class, screaming:
“Out,out,out!”
Defeated David Mellor
Had the best shout.
He told you to
“Stick up your hacienda”
As you sloped off to Spain
With your anti-Euro agenda.
So please explain how a hero you make
There is only so much nonsense I can take
To most of the country who are ordinary folk
You’re an insignificant forgotten joke
Your old man was a merchant banker
Fucking perfect for you Old Etonian wanker.

Dulwich Poet 12^th November 2013

(This is about Sir James Goldsmith, who in the late nineties set up the short-lived Referendum Party. At ‘Poetry Unplugged’, an open mic event, one woman read one about a ‘forgotten great British hero, namely Goldsmith. This is my response!)