I was pleased to learn a few days ago that estimable Oxford socialist Ann Black had been re-elected to Labour’s National Executive Committee, topping the poll of party members.
Then I felt a little guilty that I hadn’t voted for her. Then I decided that I had never received a ballot paper.
But now all is clear: the ballot papers come along with copies of the party’s new magazine Labour Today, and since Labour Today is one of those things I get through the post that goes straight into the bin without being opened, so too on this occasion did my democratic rights and responsibilities.
Turnout was apparently 18% in this election.
(Now try to guess what proportion of party members read Labour Today?)