Uncomfortable Listening

I went to hear Owen Jones talking about his new book, The Establishment: And How They Get Away With It. It was held in a small venue, with standing room only - or, in my case a seat on the floor almost underneath the stage.

The book's major premise is that behind our democracy lurks a powerful but unaccountable network of people who wield massive power and reap huge profits in the process. Near the top of the list are the large accountancy firms, that work for government, helping draw up tax laws, then tell their clients how to avoid the laws they themselves have designed.

Every time Owen looked at me, I shifted uncomfortably on the hard floorboards, and wondered if he could tell I was an accountancy lecturer.