Democracy needs choice, not overnight political rebranding

Democracy is about choice. But nowhere in the fine print does it say that this choice extends to watching those you chose to get rid of, coming back after rebranding themselves overnight as the lot you chose. (Read the last sentence slowly again and it will fall into place.)

The losing party's rank and file, having spent five years perfecting the art of shakedown, can suddenly discover a new enthusiasm the evening results are declared. And lo and behold - a costume change and switch of flags later, they're back, this time as born-again evangelists outdoing the cadre of the winning side by their show of loyalty. And this show, remarkably, remains the same.

Which is why we suggest a one-year moratorium on political defectors, those who cross the line once the hurly-burly's done and the battle's lost and won. Think of it as a cooling-off period, like wine ageing in a barrel. Or, more accurately, vinegar fermenting in a forgotten jar. Vibhishans may be useful before an election, bringing trade secrets across enemy lines.


But after the results, they're quite useless - except for self-preservation, of course. A defeated extortionist shouldn't be allowed to swap jerseys and resume business as usual. So, let's legislate that defectors spend at least 12 mths in political quarantine, either sticking to their party. Or knitting sweaters for winter.