She provided a summary of her political opinions as though reciting a script she’d repeated many times, revealing one personal detail that interested me more.
I was familiar with these views in these parts, having heard them from the lips of women of a similar vintage and class. She believes in open borders (“Welcome, one and all”). She loathes America, Israel and Brexit. She wants higher taxes to support the Ukrainian people in resisting Putin’s aggression.
Her voice was raised during the last point, causing the few heads present to look our way. We were at one of the numerous hubs in Somerset set up for Ukrainian refugees by CHARIS (Christian Help and Action for Refugees in Somerset), in collaboration with local councils.
These venues now embrace all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who welcome the weekly gathering at a former primary school, where information on housing and welfare benefits is available, along with free English lessons, tea, instant coffee, home-made cakes, and puzzles. Wells, the smallest city in England, seems an unlikely destination for such a venture, as it’s dominated by an older, white, British middle class, of which this particular “Lady Bountiful” is one.