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  1. Politics
14 June 2018

Lembit Opik is standing for the Asgardian space parliament and what is the point in anything any more

Political life, Jim, but not as we know it.

By Jonn Elledge

So, Matt Holehouse just tweeted this:

 

Do you have questions? Because I have questions.

1. What exactly is a “space nation”?

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2. Is it a nation based on another planet?

3. Or is it just generally out there somewhere in, y’know, space?

4. Can you even have a nation state without sovereign territory?

5. Oh wait, it does have sovereign territory! A single satellite, which it launched last November, and which is, according to the Daily Mail, “roughly the size of a loaf of bread”.

6. According to its website, Asgardia plans to launch an entire network of satellites.

7. Is Asgardia a military threat?

8. Does NATO need to take action against Asgardia?

9. Is Donald Trump likely to ally with Asgardia in his war against Canada?

10. The website also makes clear that Asgardia also wants to join the UN.

11. Because a ‘virtual’ nation made up of bored people on the internet should obviously take priority over Palestine, Somaliland, Western Sahara and all the other contested territories down here on boring old earth.

12. Actually, why is it called Asgardia?

13. Yes, it claims to be a nation in the sky, but what have the Norse gods ever done to deserve this?

14. Why isn’t it just “Asgard” come to that?

15. Is there a copyright issue?

16. How long can it be before someone photoshops Lembit Opik’s head onto Chris Hemsworth’s body?

17. Oh.

That didn’t take long.

18. Back in the real world, Nigel Evans is actual MP for Ribble Valley. Is this really the sort of thing a sitting MP should be doing?

19. Is this better or worse than the time Nadine Dorries went on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here when she was supposed to be at work?

20. Doesn’t Lembit have anything better to do?

21. Sorry, that one was a stupid question, wasn’t it.

22. He has a manifesto!

If elected:

a) I will always respect and uphold the spirit and letter of Asgardia’s Constitution.

b) I will use my political, business and broadcasting experience for Asgardia’s service.

c) I’ll dedicate my knowledge and experience of space policy to benefit Asgardia.

d) I’ll help Asgardia’s Parliament build inspirational, stable leadership.

23. What the fuck?

24.

My dream is to help our species be the very best we can be – as citizens of a wonderful planet in a remarkable cosmos. I aspire to help Asgardia fulfil its ambition of inhabiting space and reaching for the stars – in peace. If you share this vision, I hope you will give me your vote. I’m a realist. I know what I can do. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity dedicate my time and energy to serving Asgardia – our space nation united in our dream for one humanity.

25. Does he think he’s in Star Trek?

26. Guys, I think he’s taking this seriously:

27. I do not think other people are taking this seriously.

28. Really not at all.

29. In November, as Asgardia was launching its loaf-sized satellite, this was on the front page of the Asgardia website.

30. I’m not entirely convinced this is going to resuscitate Lembit’s political career, you know.

31. Hang on.

32. Isn’t this that Tory campaigner?

33. What the fuck?

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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