The Politics of Dancing

There is something childlike about Twitter, something of the playground. Gangs form, fights break out and others pile in. Shaming and name calling are rampant and bullying widespread. I say these things as a regular contributor to Twitter and also as someone not without sin himself. Indeed, even the most intelligent and erudite contributors sometimes seem unable to resist the temptation of the trite and unfair sideswipe.  Twitter is not Britain, although it does sometimes accurately reflect some of the more unpleasant aspects of a particular type of Englishness. And it also provides a mirror image of the most politically exercised and excitable elements of the population. In this way it provides a portrait of a certain mindset that may dominate the politically active. Which brings me to bookshelves. Bookshelves have suddenly gained an unexpected prominence in public life. Given the need for social distancing and safe isolation politicians have been invariably interviewed at home an