Melvyn reads his powerful poem about social justice.

Hello, it’s Melvyn here.
This recording’s going to take more than two minutes and I know people say that they won’t listen after two or three minutes, but it’s ……. one o’clock now in the morning and I just decided to start writing …. talking about loads of different things and I’d like to just say what – I put it down on a bit of paper what I think – not – some words – some words I could use differently, some words need to be used differently, but I haven’t really sorted it out, but I just want to really say to you what I wrote down.
The heading I put is “Sometimes it Rhymes, sometimes it don’t, sometimes it’s a documentary.”
Right.

I can only speak for the elderly people in Kent,
Because I do not know what’s happening in other areas,
But it’s probably the same all over the country.
The deprivation in North East Kent, where I live is profound.
Do you call a five minute call Care in the Community?
Too many things to say, to remember all.
So many detrimental things that have been passed in Parliament.
While we have been in lockdown, there’s all Covid (inaudible)
Where older people suffer in silence.
Who are speaking up for us? Hark! I cannot hear anyone.
Costs are so high when you are on the breadline.
How callous this Government is – you have to pay
Even to get your ears syringed now – between thirty and eighty pounds, I hear.
Also your feet you have to pay to get you about.
Have we not paid enough into the National Health? Have we not done enough for such things?
Only for the elderly to be put in Care Homes with Covid-19 and infected older people.
Murder I call it! What a disgrace.
We must have retribution for this, we must have some sort of justice.
I feel so sorry for those people that are out of work.
I try my hardest to help, like a lot of people, but it never seems enough.
There is so much sadness, so much hurt in their eyes and their (inaudible) faces.
One point five million families in bed and breakfast alone – families.
Over twelve million elderly and younger families cannot afford gas and electric,
Cannot afford to cook, or heating to warm their houses.
But this callous Government can have a wage rise of three thousand, seven hundred,
With add-ons and sneaky bits they tend to hide, cheap drinks they have,
A wine list as long as your arm and meals cooked for them,
Mortgages paid by us and add-ons.
How sad they all are! And not one of them any good.
No one to be fair to the people of this country. The shop floor, I call us,
Because that’s where I come from- and proud of it.
Their time will come – believe me.

I could have said it differently. I could have wrote differently and probably will in the morning, but I just feel so sad for – the people that have no money, have no jobs – have no future. I will definitely help, I’m going to – I mean, I do help, I know, I try my hardest, but I’m going to have to do something different to – as well, to help and God knows when it’s all going to end. Perhaps by the end of 2021 it will be better – be easier. I hope it’s better. This Government has wasted enough.
I’m going to finish this now, because probably it’s gone a bit of thin-ish at end.
Bye