I am depressed by the fact that Labour lost the general election in spite of the best Labour manifesto since records began, with the consequence that even the slim chance of taming capitalism that Labour offered is now off the agenda for the foreseeable future; that the most right-wing Tory party since records began now has a majority of 80 in parliament; that Boris Johnson can (and will) do what he likes from now on (in concert with his Axis partner Trump), and that the UK’s hostile environment against migrants is set to worsen.

And I am depressed that Johnson doing what he likes includes fixing the legal system against the many and for the few even more than it is already. And I am depressed that at the Grenfell inquiry companies, in an apparent attempt to threaten the inquiry, want protection in any future criminal trials that may follow – in effect, immunity from prosecution if they give evidence to the inquiry. I’ve just seen the wonderful Michael Mansfield arguing against them in the inquiry. The victims have the best if they’ve got him, but who knows what the decision will be. The inquiry hearings will now be delayed.

The population needs to take to the streets, but it won’t. It needs to go and break windows, but it won’t. The “nation” is too busy building walls, first against its nearest neighbours, second against refugees (and this government is brazen enough to target children first), and third against anybody else who has the temerity to want to migrate here. And it’s too busy trying to delete solidarity from our dictionaries. So, yes, I’m depressed about Brexit. And because the fine words on climate change are not matched by fine actions.

A few weeks ago, a delivery driver, on a motorbike, was stopped by the police in Paris for an alleged traffic offence (he was said to be using his phone). During the police check he died, of a fractured larynx. He was 42. His father said the following at a press conference: “I am the father of Cédric Chouviat. They have murdered my son. Emmanuel Macron, I will wage war against you, against your state.” («Je suis le père de Cédric Chouviat, on a assassiné mon fils. Emmanuel Macron, je vais en guerre contre vous, contre votre Etat.»)

I have bluetacked Cédric Chouviat’s father’s words onto the door of my study. We should follow his example. We’ve been sent off to war by the few several times in recent years for spurious reasons. Now, for the many, a war against the few is justified. How M. Chouviat and his supporters will wage his war remains to be seen. Whether we will find a way to follow his example also remains to be seen (bluetacking is not enough). We have to find a way, though, and quick.