Bring back Mass Observation

It’s sad that we do not have Mass Observation on hand to record the views of the population during the present historic period. Listening to others in the Tesco queue this morning (morning queues I have discovered seem to have an older demographic which suits me fine) one could discern the phlegmatic character of the British spirit in all its glory. The middle aged NHS worker who refused an offer to move up the queue, even though she’d just finished her shift and merely said ‘I fancy standing in the sunshine for a while’ to some other person, wondering how people were responding to TV adverts which seemed to suggest that kids could get out to play (or at least do it indoors) when there was nowhere to go out and play (brings to mind the mayor of Middlesbrough’s decision to close down the parks) but then saying the Queen has plenty of space at Balmoral. And Her Majesty doesn’t even have to pay council tax! Then there was a brief commentary on Prof. Neil Ferguson’s ‘lover’ crossing London to visit him, despite his ‘issuing the guidance for no visitors’ whilst she was with him. And, according to this source, she is married with two children! I was somewhat disappointed that the queue moved as quickly as it did. Rarely when out shopping is one forced to pause and listen to the conversations of others. I will have to go to Tesco’s more often. It could be 1905 all over again. The makings of a revolution. What a disappointment I didn't hear anybody talk about what a wonderful job Keir Starmer was doing putting the government on the spot. I suppose that will come later.