September 9, 1999
Edward Graham Macfarlane
 
 The Spectre of ‘Warlord’ Portillo ?
 
Farewell to Alan Clark is the UK news today,
And Portillo is off his mark almost immediately,
To take the place of Clark is no doubt his hope.
But foolish Nato warring may have removed that scope
I think it may have done so for the reports I hear
Are that Blair is not now so popular,
As before the Kosovo affair.
The “RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBERS” have their conventions
Which they will  “conventionally keep”,
For example they are “gentlemen” who still pretend ,
That ALAN CLARK  has “gone to sleep”,
Do not mention his transgressions of UK religious code,
And may not ever mention them in “ parliamentary mode “.
“Sources” will be found to tell us that Catholic ANCRAM is now,
Quite sure that “rightwing” PORTILLO is on his list somehow,
Meantime politicians of all parties will find words to praise,
The errant “dear departed” who shared their ANGLO ways,
PM Tony Blair said CLARK (71) was “a complete ONE-OFF”
Other speakers to be quoted were ,are, all equally vague,
“One of the most remarkable and colourful ...” came from Mr Hague.
But  the egregious Lady Thatcher let this pass through her lips.
A “doughty parliamentarian ... a Tory to his fingertips”
But the comment I liked the very best,
Is one which I think all should test,
It came from “veteran LABOUR Tony BENN”
So hear his neat comment  again!
“I would remember him as an independent man
 who said what he thought and meant what he said--
And that isn’t all that common in the present House of Commons.”
Perhaps it is not  “common” but I think that it should be,
So let us ADVISE the ELECTORS to VOTE “PORTILLO NBG”!
Portillo is the George Robertson in UK TORY eyes,
SO VOTERS please remember to give him yet ANOTHER,
Yes ANOTHER , ‘UNELECTED AT  POLL’ SURPRISE.
 
 
Edward Graham Macfarlane 
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Edward Graham Macfarlane
 
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