Dystopia

by Jason Chapman

  ‘Shortly before the referendum Mr Hardy quoted: To pull out of Europe will be like pulling teeth without a local anaesthetic. The people of the UK will suffer economic and social pain the likes of which have never been seen before. Yet here we are over two years later. Mr Hardy trying to rally the people behind him. Selling himself as the only party leader who is capable of leading this country out of Europe. How can you sit there and defend Mr Hardy who is effectively a turncoat on the whole Brexit issue.’

  ‘Let me make myself clear. I think every member of Parliament never expected a leave vote.’

  ‘Are you saying that no one in the Government wanted the people to vote out?’

  ‘Absolutely. I think there wasn’t a member of parliament who wasn’t shocked at the outcome.’

  ‘So you are stating that the government are being dragged kicking and screaming out of Europe by the British people.’

  ‘I wouldn’t put it like that exactly. But the vote to leave Europe has left the government in a difficult position, no matter who leads.’

  ‘That’s a rather remarkable thing to admit Mr Jones.’

  ‘Labour leader George Hardy is told all of his Labour MPs that the truth although painful needs to come out. David Cameron resigned because he knew he couldn’t lead us out of Europe.’

  ‘And neither can Tessa Mayflower?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Ok, let’s move on to the subject of Dystopia. Do you think that this government is doing enough to stop this terror group?’

  ‘I think the government is in freefall over Dystopia. I think Tessa Mayflower should take a tougher stance against this terror group. She is letting them walk all over her.’

  ‘But Dystopia seem to be unstoppable. They have raided the bank accounts of the Premier league, they have made the poorest of this country forty thousand pounds better off. They have targeted the criminally rich and shut down the websites of all payday loan companies.’

  ‘Let’s not forget that over one hundred people lost their lives.’

  ‘Over one hundred people did lose their lives which is tragic. However don’t you think Dystopia has made some valid points about the poor of this country and how they have been trodden under foot by the ruling elite?’

  ‘Look, I’m not getting into an argument about whether or not Dystopia has been justified in their actions. Let me remind you again that they murdered over one hundred innocent people. Their actions alone have demonstrated that they are not on the side of the poor.’

  ‘The police have just released the name of the nightclub attacker as Dexter Wilson Price. He was a thirty four year old city trader. Did you know that Mr Price was under investigation for insider trading?’

  ‘I am not at liberty to comment on the individuals.’

  ‘And the police officer who opened fired on innocent people in Paddington. He was allegedly under investigation for taking bribes.’

  ‘I’m sorry, but I am not going to sit here and allow myself to be pummelled by you.’

  ‘But Dystopia has raised some very valid points about society. Are the government using the deaths as a smokescreen? To hide the real issues that blight this country.’

  ‘There are many issues that blight this country.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Such as the minimum wage, which Labour believes is a joke.’

  What would labour raise the minimum wage to?’

  ‘I think eight pound fifty an hour is enough to raise living standards.’

  ‘What about the small companies who would struggle to pay that much to their employees?’

  ‘Labour has drawn up plans to help small businesses cope with rising wages.’

  Martin Jones thank you for coming down here today to speak with us.’

  ‘My pleasure.’

  Chapter 48

  9:00am

  We are Dystopia. Last night your Prime Minister made a plea to us. She stated that our actions are hurting the poor. This is no different to what the rich have been doing for decades. Poverty in the United Kingdom is now at a record high. People are forced to work in low income jobs. Blackmailed by the benefits system who threaten to take away any benefits if they do not work. The government recently claimed that unemployment levels are at a record low. This is a lie. Millions are forced to work zero hour contracts just to prop up official figures which are used to deceive the masses. Hundreds of thousands more individuals are unable to claim any kind of benefit. The puppets of the government the news media fail to mention this because they are bias against the poor of this country. Families are forced to beg at food banks because they have no money to buy food. As the cost of living continues to rise more families are being forced into poverty.

  There are those who see us as anarchists hell bent on causing social unrest. We say to those who see us as a destructive force. We are no more destructive than the rich of this country. trampling on the dreams and aspirations of the poor who are constantly having to fight for existence. In a world where the gap between rich and poor is now a gulf.

  Our next target will be the banking system. London is heralded as the financial hub of the world. Trillions in corrupt money flowing through this city every year. Criminal empires from Russia and other countries controlling the city’s financiers. London has now become a disease. It is a disease that is killing the rest of the United Kingdom. Enough money flows through London to help those who are in need. But instead it goes into the pockets of the greedy and corrupt. We will take action on behalf of the rest of the UK. Everyone with a London address has until 9:30 to use the nearest cashpoint or bank to make any transaction. In half an hour, everyone who lives across the London region will have their bank account frozen. Every financial institute will be targeted. Every business will be targeted. Every individual will be targeted. London will close for business until further notice.

  To those who see us as evil. You have had endless amounts of time to solve the problems you have created over the decades. But all you have done is sat back while the working classes of this nation have been ground down. The decaying unions without power to act on their members behalf. Your Prime Minister will make more speeches to the media. Vowing to fight on to win the day. She will fail. The government will admit its wrongdoing. In one hour we will deliver another message. We will take more action to make the government sit up and take notice. People of the United Kingdom take a look at the so called utopia you live in. We cannot be stopped, we are relentless in our goal. We are Dystopia.

  BBC News – BREAKING NEWS – 9:09am

  ‘Good morning you are watching the BBC news channel. Several minutes ago the cyber terrorist group known as Dystopia released another statement. Everyone with a London based address will be targeted. Their bank accounts will be frozen. We have in our studio this morning our financial correspondent. Andrew Mason. Andrew what are the implication of Dystopia’s latest threats?’

  ‘Jenny this is unprecedented. Never in the history of the banking industry have we witnessed this. If Dystopia does carry out their threat, which many believe will happen. It will be financial armageddon, not just for the city of London but also the world’s finances. During the crash of 2007 to 2008 we saw just how interlinked different countries finances were. The various governments that have come to power since then have promised to isolate our financial institutes more to protect against another crash. It is beginning to look as if they have learned nothing from the crash of ten years ago. In less than half an hour this great city of ours will be brought to its knees. And there is nothing we can do about it. Dystopia have showed no signs of restraint so far. They have already decimated the bank accounts of our top sporting institutes as well as other prominent businesses, many of which are linked to the criminal underworld. In less than half an hour this city will be thrown back to the financial dark ages.’

  Chapter 49

  Downing Street – London – 9:15am

  James Prosser pushed the power button on the remote control. He had s
at with the Prime Minister replaying Dystopia’s latest speech.

  ‘Please say they do not have the power to do this.’ Mayflower said.

  ‘The city will go into meltdown. Billions in shares are about to go down the bloody toilet.’

  ‘Social order will start to break down if people can’t get access to their money.’ Mayflower pointed out.

  ‘Social order is already breaking down ma’am. The news has reported that a number of petrol stations have been attacked because people cannot get petrol.’

  ‘Ok, what are our options?’

  Prosser shrugged. ‘There are no options for this scenario Prime Minister. So far everything Dystopia have done is impossible.’

  ‘I don’t want to hear impossible James.’ Mayflower shouted. ‘I only want to know what’s possible.’

  ‘Prime Minister we are dead in the water. Dystopia are about to throw this country back to the financial stone age. This government is in freefall. We no longer have the ruling majority in the house.’

  ‘Don’t start to turn against me now James.’

  ‘Prime Minister, the country will expect you to call an election. We cannot maintain power. Dystopia is just one of many problems right now.’

  ‘I’m not going to call another election until the threat from Dystopia has been dealt with.’

  ‘And when will that be exactly. Look at what they have done ma’am. They have brought this country to a standstill. The people are bordering on outright rebellion.’

  ‘You just said it yourself James. Dystopia are achieving the impossible. Every day they are tightening the noose around our necks.’ Mayflower paused for thought. ‘Perhaps they are right.’

  ‘Prime Minister, surely you don’t mean that.’

  ‘The wealthy of this country have always stood on the backs of the poor to achieve greatness.’

  ‘Some people have worked bloody hard to get where they are today. We have people in the House of Lords who have come from nothing.’

  ‘And we have people at the bottom of society who still have nothing James. People who have worked for forty years and are still in rented accommodation. This country has sold out to foreign investors who do nothing but laugh in this government’s face. Dystopia are right on many levels. The criminally rich do run this country. All we are is caretakers.’

  ‘Prime Minister we are not caretakers, we are leaders.’

  ‘Are we, most people don’t seem to think that at the moment. Have you read the papers this morning? If I hold an election now they it will be the biggest humiliation this party has ever seen. We’ll have less votes that the bloody Green Party. Change is needed James. When we finally leave the EU we cannot carry on the way we have been doing things.’

  ‘What are you suggesting?’

  ‘I’m suggesting that when we leave, no one gets left behind. Everyone will have a fair chance to succeed. We need to set an example to the rest of the world send a message that this country will move forward not backwards.’

  ‘In the meantime Prime Minister there will be people who will constantly drive a knife into your back.’

  ‘Let me worry about that.’

  Mayflower’s train of thought was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. ‘Come in!’

  ‘I’m sorry Prime Minister but George Hardy is here to see you.’

  Mayflower glanced at Prosser.

  ‘I think that’s my queue to leave.’ Prosser said getting to his feet.

  Mayflower smiled at Hardy as he entered the room. ‘George what an unexpected surprise.’

  Hardy sat down opposite Mayflower. ‘How are you holding up Tessa?’

  ‘As well as can be expected I suppose given the circumstances.’

  ‘I take it you have seen the news this morning.’

  ‘Of course I have George, I’m not trying to bury my head in the sand. I know what’s going on in the world.’

  ‘I realise that, but the opposition parties are baying for blood.’

  ‘You mean you are baying for my blood George.’

  ‘Let’s not toy with each other Tessa. You have postponed PMs Question time today, why?’

  ‘I think it’s pretty obvious why. Dystopia are reeking havoc. Do you think that our weekly pantomime is going to calm the people?’

  ‘The people need a leader.’

  ‘And they have one.’ Mayflower replied with a defiant tone.

  ‘Not according to the opinion polls.’ Hardy stated.

  ‘Is this why you have come here today George. To taunt me into announcing another election.’

  ‘What are you so afraid of Tessa?’

  ‘I’m not afraid.’ Mayflower hit back. ‘I will announce another election.’

  ‘The clock is ticking Prime Minister. There are those who are waiting to take your place.’

  ‘Just in case you haven’t been keeping up with current affairs George I did sack my deputy leader last night.’

  ‘A bold move Prime Minister. One which may have cost this government the next election.’

  ‘Is that what this is all about George? The next general election.’

  ‘Tessa, the people must have a working government. This country will become a laughing stock in the eyes of Europe and the rest of the world.’

  ‘The eyes of Europe.’ Mayflower scoffed. ‘All Europe wants right now George is another bloody referendum.’

  ‘Perhaps that wouldn’t be a bad thing.’

  ‘Jesus, not you as well. What have they offered you?’

  ‘They haven’t offered me anything Tessa. Another referendum would restore the imbalance that exists within this country.’

  ‘No George another referendum would push the people of this country to the brink.’

  ‘The people are already on the brink? The damage that Dystopia is causing is irreversible. Billions have been lost. If this madness continues for much longer then trillions will be wiped from the markets. We’ll be plunged into a depression that will make the dark ages look like the age of enlightenment. Look at the damage Dystopia have done to the football clubs. And now this latest spate of threats. There will be war on the streets of Britain.’

  ‘Who gives a shit about a bunch of football club owners? Or the drug gangs that cause so much misery.’

  Hardy glanced at his watch. ‘In less than fifteen minutes Prime Minister Dystopia will bring this city to its knees.’

  ‘Perhaps that’s what this city needs. I watched the latest video Dystopia released. As much as I hate to admit it George Dystopia is right.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘This city is bleeding the rest of the country dry. Most of the wealthy that do business in this city don’t give a shit about the poor. Or the rest of the country for that matter. It’s all about lining their pockets. And don’t get me started on the criminals that make our lives an everyday misery. I don’t know who to trust anymore.’

  ‘And why are you suddenly caring about the poor?’

  ‘Because that’s why I was elected as Prime Minister. I am supposed to give a shit. I’m supposed reach out to every man, woman and child in this country. Reassure them that this government is ensuring that no one will go unnoticed. Everyone will get a fair deal. That’s what every Prime Minister promises when they move into this house.’

  ‘It’s never that simple you know that.’ Hardy said.

  ‘But it should be. This country has become a rotting corpse of hate and fear. Those who are at the bottom struggling to make ends meat hate those at the top for just sitting on their arses. Something has got to change George. When we leave Europe we have to try harder for the poorer in this country.’

  ‘In a perfect world we could help those who are most in need. But you know it’s not like that. It’s never been like that.’

  ‘Things need to change.’

  ‘I agree, that’s why I am here to reason with you today.’

  ‘Reason with me. Don’t you mean force me into announcing an election date?’

&n
bsp; ‘Why else do you think I am here Tessa?’

  ‘Until Dystopia is dealt with I cannot just ignore what is going on. This city is about to go into meltdown.’

  ‘So why aren’t you in a more secure location?’

  ‘Because I don’t want to abandon the people of this city. This government already did that last year. The survivors of Grenfell tower are no closer to getting answers.’

  ‘The media will come after you Tessa. They will demand you make a date for another election. Have you seen the street outside. There is a permanent garrison of journalists out there. The media will start to roast you alive.’

  ‘I’m already being roasted alive George. I have enemies in every corner waiting to come out and drive a knife into my back. Why do you think I sacked Edwin last night?’

  ‘You must set a date for an election Tessa.’

  ‘I will.’ Mayflower paused. ‘It’s just I’m not sure who to trust anymore.’

  ‘What happened last night in Brussels?’

  ‘They want another referendum George. They want me to force the people to vote on Europe again. I can’t do that. I can’t just stab the people in the back like that.’

  Hardy nodded. ‘I had a feeling they would put you over a barrel. Europe never wanted the leave vote.’

  ‘Don’t you mean Germany never wanted it?’

  ‘What are you saying exactly?’

  ‘I’m saying, when the European Union was first established. It was a straight forward trade agreement between its members. Now it has become something totally different. As time marched on more and more countries joined. All of a sudden a simple trade agreement has become something totally unrecognisable.’

  ‘I agree, but there’s very little we can do about it now. Changes were made when the Blair government was in office. They helped make the EU what it is today.’

  ‘With Germany at the centre of it all.’

  ‘You can’t blame Germany for everything that has happened Tessa. Decisions have been made by other member states including the United Kingdom.’