Good old Wolfie. A socialist revolutionary with a bitter sense of injustice. "Come the glorious day, citizen, you'll be first against the wall," he'd threaten, scribbling down the names of his girlfriend's father, traffic wardens or people who upset him in the pub into a little black book.

Despite the comedy, a revolution did seem a possibilty in the heady days of the 1970s. When the Labour Party still had Clause 4 - 'To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their labours...' When the miners had the power to bring down a government. And when people cared about using their vote to try and effect a real change in society.

I know, stop yawning, I'm boring you. It is political sleaze and corruption that has led to the indifference among young voters today.
All the parties in Britain sound like they're banging the same drum and most politicians seem to be in the job for their own gain.

How about nationalising the National Lottery, anyone? Not when the politicians are on the board of directors, old son.

Oxbridge-educated spin doctors trying to tell ill-advised Oxbridge-educated MPs how to relate to the people on a council estate in the North East. Watch the mannerisms of whatshisname, the Tory leader.

Copied almost identically from Tony Blair. The open shirt, sleeves rolled up, talking with his hands.

Our own MP Alan Beith is a decent fella who has always tried to do a canny job for rural north Northumberland – and no-one can deny he has the best interests of the populace at heart. He at least understands our problems and knows the community.

But if political apathy continues at its current rate, the Prime Minister in 2050 will probably be elected by the votes of seven old women in a knitting circle in Hampshire. Maybe that is what the politicians want and that is a worrying thought.

So the next time Wolfie rolls down the road in an armoured vehicle, I'll be jumping on board in a balaclava.

Power to the people!