Subscriber At long last, the Johnson juggernaut has run out of road. The Bohnson's repeated scandals, criminal convictions and outright racism and transphobia were not enough to unseat him; in the end all it took was a few opportunistic cronies seeing a chance to pull their knives. Et tu, Gove?

While there is some vindictive pleasure to be taken in seeing the one-time icon of modern British Conservatism ousted, ultimately this week's events are an abject reminder that we do not live in any kind of functioning democracy. Johnson's successor will be the third consecutive Prime Minister who enters office without any kind of mandate from the people. Not that our dysfunctional electoral system provides such a thing; the more Johnson rabbited on about the public's support for his selfish cause, the more we were reminded of Gil Scott-Heron's famous remark on the election of Ronald Reagan: "mandate my ass". In other news, it was heartening this month to see London Pride declare uniformed police unwelcome ahead of the march, which took place last weekend. While the Metropolitan Police have exhibited a particularly vile tendency for homophobia in recent months, it is worth remembering that they are not some kind of accidental exception. Police forces are set up to enforce the norms of our bigoted society - they perpetuate the repression of marginalised communities, even if they wear rainbows while they do it. Activists have always endeavoured to make this message clear, even where corporations and 'established' organisers have failed.

It remains to be seen whether Norwich Pride, coming up on the 30th, will follow London in taking this crucial step to reassert the autonomy of Pride from the state and corporate forces that seek to capitalise on it. In the meantime, we are very excited about this weekend's Trans Pride Picnic in Eaton Park, a day of celebration organised by local grassroots trans activists and allies. This month has also provided welcome reminders that there is power in a union. As ever, we stand in solidarity with the RMT and the many other trade unions that are gearing up for strike ballots in the coming months.

We will leave you with a musical recommendation: post-hardcore firebrands Petrol Girls' new album Baby, released two weeks ago. Essential listening in a time when there is much to rage about.

Solidarity,
The Norwich Radical Editorial Team Most Read Articles in June Want to change how you receive these emails?
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