In Britain we have two more days to fantasise that we could become a forward looking and kind country. But we are all very much prepared for the horrible reality of Friday morning – that yet again elderly, bigoted men will dominate our politics and women will be lucky to get a look in. Yes, we know that it’s only a hundred years since we were allowed the vote. But watching the disaster unfold here is deeply painful. Although, who knows, maybe the innate decency of the British people – we still believe in it – will pull us through… This is Finland’s new Prime Minister Sanna Marin, she is 34. Alas, alas this couldn’t happen in the UK.  Quick question: which are our five most political books? Answer: William – an Englishman, National Provincial, Despised and Rejected, The Call and Tory Heaven (there are fifteen in our Political books list here, this is exactly one ninth which seems a rather satisfactory proportion, not too many and not too few).

We promised you something political on the Post this week (and we promised not to rant). Thus the most positive and uplifting thing to post is surely pictures of women politicians we admire, indeed fervently admire, so if we were going to allow ourselves to rant it would be say – why oh why can’t the UK have someone of their calibre instead of the shabby, dishonest, incompetent crew we are lumbered with? Yes there are many , or perhaps several, exceptions. And btw one tends to glimpse the most brilliant people on the Parliament Channel during some run-of-the-mill debate when an MP of whom one had never heard before stands up and speaks with eloquence and intelligence. However, these are not qualities displayed by anyone in the cabinet. Hey ho. We are still faintly optimistic that the overall decency of the Brits will make itself felt on Thursday. But only faintly. For now, this week on the post,  the first woman politician we admire is Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand (which is having a horrible time at the moment). Here is an article about her from Foreign Policy which said: ‘In an era defined by the emergence of populist leaders who are often authoritarian, reactionary, and male, Ardern stands out as progressive, collaborative, and female. Her speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2018 fueled her growing reputation as the “anti-Trump”. She called for, among other things, kindness and collectivism as an alternative to isolationism, protectionism, and racism.’ Kindness should be the keyword for all politicians. We are wishing…

And finally Harry Bush’s Wet Roofs 1954. Merton again, by an unrecognised genius,

Harry Bush was 57 in 1940  – so too old to join up. But he painted this marvellous picture of a Barracks (No. 17 Anti-Aircraft Company) in North Queensferry in 1940. Here is some more information, including a list of all the paintings that Harry Bush exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Harry Bush and his wife moved into their house in Merton in 1914 and lived there for over forty years, including the war years. This is A Corner of Merton 16 August 1940;

The Tiled Kitchen by Harry Bush has been been on the Post before but it must be ages ago and it is so memorable that it easily bears repetition. It’s at the Museum of London and is 1954.

This week on the Post we mark, celebrate, mourn the fact that it is December already and the most important election of the last few decades (?since 1945) is only ten days away. This Post is presumably almost entirely read by people who agree with us when we say in mystified tones – the wail echoes round the office – how can anyone contemplate voting for the Tories? . And, yes, like millions of other people, we are all in a state of complete turmoil, helpless, only cheered up by Lydia’s baby being increasingly and beautifully visible, the office dog Naska (actually not our dog but we pretend he is) and, of course, the wonderfulness of the three October books which people are LOVING. So to mourn, celebrate, soothe, we simply went to ArtUK  (we hope everyone knows about this superb site?) and typed in December and London and immediately found Harry Bush’s stunning December Sunshine, remembered that he is actually one of our very very favourite painters and despite the fact that we have had this painting on the Post before decided that this is the week to celebrate.Harry Bush. Next week will have to be political (but we shall try not to rant) and the week after has to be Christmas-y.