I've got a flat cap, a greyhound and use black pudding in recipes. I still have my pit tallies (stole them on my last shift..) and they are hung in my study above a safety lamp I bought from an ex copper who stole it from our pit during the strike.

How working sodding class do you want?

Mind you, I also have a T shirt with a picture of Atlee on it, with the words "What would Clem do?"

The candidate hopefuls may wish to lead a party with fluid values and differing aspirations but they also wish to deliver a government. That means attracting votes across the spectrum, and even if they don't but get enough votes anyway, be a government for all.

It kind of gravitates to the middle.

Being "working class" or whatever that means in this, not the previous century is not a key to any ideal. Both UKIP and, in Scotland, SNP claim support "of the working classes." One party would have us leave The EU regardless and the other bases their whole message on remaining part of Europe. One party decries The NHS and social equality, the other bases its manifesto on it.

What is clear is that votes, whether internal to a party or in general elections and referendums are based on the opinion of the voter, regardless of their situation or grasp of the issues.

Reading some of the usual suspects on here, I'm seeing how democracy is the best system only because nobody can think of anything better.

Anyway, I decided to come out of retirement through boredom and start a new job next week. Looks like I'm a worker again. Where's my moleskin trousers?