The Minister for Food V2

Welcome to 'The Minister for Food,' a branching narrative experience which puts the fate of a local food system in your hands! In what follows, you will play the role of a local MP. A national supermarket chain (LISCO) are proposing to build a supermarket on a disused plot of land in the centre of one of the towns in your constituency. Today, you're holding an open constituency surgery to gather views on the plan. Throughout the story, you will be able to make choices by clicking on links. An example link can be found below:: [[Links representing choices will look like this->Example choice]] When you're ready, click the link below to begin! [[Intro]]

=><= You head back to the door, pull it open, and peer around the doorframe into the waiting area beyond. A few more of your constituents have arrived now; your eyes hover over people chatting in small groups or sat scrolling on their phones. You notice a few familiar faces: { (if:$farmercomplete is 0)[There's old Mr Bloomfield the farmer,] (if:$cafecomplete is 0)[You spot Abdul, who runs the local greasy spoon.] (if:$mumcomplete is 0)[There's also a mum with a pushchair who you don't recognise.] } You pause for a moment and consider who to call in first. {(if:$farmercomplete is 0)[ [[Talk to Mr Bloomfield]] <br>] (if:$cafecomplete is 0)[ [[Talk to Abdul]] <br>] (if:$mumcomplete is 0)[ [[Talk to the Mum]] <br>]} (if:$farmercomplete is 1 and $cafecomplete is 1 and $mumcomplete is 1)[As you are deciding who to speak to next, a tall figure wearing a dark suit appears at the far end of the waiting room. He strides urgently towards you past the remaining constituents and fixes you with a blank stare. As he approaches you, you extends a pale hand and smiles. =><======= $exectext['Hi there! My name's Martin, I'm a regional development manager for LISCO. May I have a quick word in private?'] =><= [[Of course - come on in]] ]

=======><= 'Hello Mr Bloomfield!' =><= As you approach, Mr Bloomfield pushes himself up off his chair and gives you a firm handshake. You haven't seen him for a long time now, and by the looks of it the years haven't been too kind to him. The weathered skin of his face is deeply set with wrinkles, and as you exchange pleasantries on the way back to the meeting room, you notice that he's walking with a pronounced limp. You lead Mr Bloomfield into the meeting room and offer him a chair at the small round table. He sits down gratefully and you take a seat opposite him. [[Ask about his limp]] [[Ask him for his thoughts on the supermarket plan]]

=======><= 'Hi Abdul!' =><======= $cafetext['Hello my friend, good to see you!'] =><= You and Abdul have a friendly chat as you wander back towards the meeting room. He has the relaxed and affable manner which, you suppose, comes from running a beloved local institution for 25 years. In fact, seeing him outside the cafe is quite jarring - he must have strong feelings about the supermarket plan. As you take your seats in the meeting room, you decide to get straight down to business. [[How do you feel about the supermarket plan?]]

=><= You walk over to the lady with the pushchair and reach out your hand. =======><= 'Hi there! Pleased to meet you. =><= She grasps your hand and shakes it hurriedly. =><======= $mumtext['Hello! Linda Miles, nice to meet you.'] =><= You both exchange a bit of chit-chat as you make your way back to the meeting room with baby Leslie in tow. You offer Linda a cup of tea or coffee as she takes a seat at the round table. =><======= $mumtext['No, no, I won't be staying long. You were on my route today, so I just thought I'd pop in.'] =><= Quietly relieved that perhaps your ear isn't about to be talked off for once, you thank Linda for making the time to speak with you. [[What do you think of the supermarket plan?]] [[Say hello to the baby!]]

=======><= 'That's quite a limp you've got there! You look like you're in a fair bit of pain with that - is everything ok?' =><= Mr Bloomfield grimaces. =><======= $farmertext['It's my hip, you see. I had a little quadbike accident about six months ago, and it's been causing me some trouble ever since then really. It certainly hasn't made my job any easier, I'll tell you that for free!'] =><= He cackles.. =><======= $farmertext['They're telling me it needs replacing, but with the waiting lists the way they are I just haven't had my turn yet.'] =><= He rolls his eyes. [[Well, thank you for making the effort to come down here today!]] [[I'm so sorry to hear about that]]

=><======= $farmertext['I'm against the whole thing, to tell you the truth. The last few years have been pretty tough for the farming industry, as I'm sure you know. The big supermarkets are one of the reasons as to why. They are making massive profits off our hard work, while we have to make do with the crumbs that they leave us. Now, my family and I have been selling produce direct to folks in this town for many years. How many of them will stick with us once a big supermarket opens up right on their doorsteps?'] =><= Mr Bloomfield makes a 'who knows?' sort of gesture and shrugs. =><======= $farmertext['I can't compete with their prices, so I'll be down a lot of money at the end of the day. That's my main concern with this whole business.'] =><= There is a brief pause while you consider the old farmer's words. [[What kind of farming are you doing these days?]] [[Tell me more about the business side of things.]] [[What would you have me do about the plan?]]

=><= Mr Bloomfield gives a sideways glance. =><======= $farmertext['Well, it's my wife you should be thanking. I wouldn't waste my time with politics, personally, but she insisted, so here I am!'] =><= He shrugs and gives you a little smile. [[Let's get started then - I don't want to waste too much of your time.->Ask him for his thoughts on the supermarket plan]]

=><= Mr Bloomfield brightens at your question. =><======= $farmertext['The same kind my family and I have been doing here for four generations - we're livestock farmers, we are. We've got 90 hectares of pasture for grazing sheep and cattle, and our animals are all heritage breeds from this area. They're beautiful animals, they really are.'] =><= The old farmer's eyes are glowing with pride. =><======= $farmertext['Not without their challenges, though! They don't grow quite as quickly as all the modern breeds that are popular nowadays. My son thinks I'm mad for sticking with the heritage breeds - we don't see eye to eye on that.'] =><= [[Your son may have a point about the heritage breeds]] [[Can you transition away from livestock altogether?]]

=><======= $farmertext['We're struggling at the moment. Our costs are going up and up all the time, and people don't have the disposable income to spend on what we're producing. So our costs are through the roof at the same time as our customer base is shrinking. Working with the supermarket would certainly fix one of those problems! But as I said, they'd bleed us dry in the end - that's what these big players do, you see. Farmers across the board aren't getting a fair deal from the big supermarkets.That's really what I've come here to say today.'] =><= You punctuate Mr Bloomfield's words with some understanding nods. When he pauses, you jump in: [[Defend supermarkets]] [[Agree and discuss further]]

=><======= $farmertext['If I were you, I'd oppose it. It's going to be a problem for all the small food businesses in the town, not to mention us farmers. I'd tell them to sling their hook!'] =><= [[Noted!]] [[What would you say to those who support the plan?]]

=======><= 'I can see that your animals mean a lot to you. Having said that, your farm is still a business first and foremost. It sounds like the heritage breeds might be holding you back. Unfortunately, I think your son may be on to something. If I were you, I'd think again about the breeds I was investing in.' =><= A stormy look comes across Mr Bloomfield's face as you talk. =><======= $farmertext['The farm is a business, true enough, but it's so much more than that. If every farmer put profit ahead of everything else, all our native breeds would be gone within a few years. That'd be a tragedy. Without that livestock diversity, we're one or two epidemics away from total devastation. What myself and other farmers like me do is crucial for our food resilience, so I'd like to keep doing it, if it's all the same to you! All we want from you is a little more support and understanding. Blocking the supermarket plan would be a good place to start.'] =><= [[You should incorporate some modern breeds gradually]] [[Fair enough! But I think you and the supermarket can coexist]]

=======><= 'I hate to say this, Mr Bloomfield, but I really don't think that committing to livestock is the best choice for the future of your farm. For one thing, people are eating less meat, and that trend looks to be continuing. I'm afraid it needs to continue and accelerate if we're going to meet our Net Zero targets. You know as well as I do that agriculture contributes massively to our greenhouse gas emissions here in the UK. Meat production is a very sizeable part of that. Now, what I suggest-' =><======= $farmertext['Let me stop you there.'] =><= Mr Bloomfield raises a hand to bring you to an abrupt halt. =><======= $farmertext['I am sick to the back teeth of getting the blame for climate change. Me getting rid of my animals won't make a lick of difference to the climate - in fact, in terms of the health of our soils, the environment might get worse! If you want someone to blame, look no further than the supermarkets! They are making sure that people continue to demand cheap, industrially-produced meat - there's your culprit. Leave my animals out of it.'] =><= [[You make a good point]] [[I'm afraid the facts don't bear that out]]

=======><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)'I appreciate your honesty! Thanks for that, Mr Bloomfield. I've got more people to see today, but I'll keep your views in mind. Is there anything else you'd like to add while you're here?' =><======= $farmertext['No, I think I've said what I came to say.'] =><= [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=><======= $farmertext['I'd say that they deserve better than another supermarket, frankly! I think people are only supporting the plan because they've never experienced anything better. The way I see it, the supermarket is just an unnecessary middleman between us and our customers; all they are good for is selling the public a load of extra stuff that they don't really need. A return to old-fashioned markets would be a step forward in a lot of ways, if you ask me.'] =><= [[I'll keep that in mind->Noted!]] [[You can't be serious!]] [[I agree, but politically that will not fly]]

=======><= 'Thank you for that. I'm sorry that you've been having a difficult time recently. Unfortunately, I think supermarkets are a necessary evil. I'm aware that they give you a raw deal. But, as you said, they do give you access to customers. Clearly, supermarkets are not going anywhere - people have become accustomed to the convenience and low prices that they offer. The only option, to my mind, is to work with them to secure a fairer deal for farmers. I, and the government, will support you in this.' =><= Mr Bloomfield sighs deeply. =><======= $farmertext['And how exactly do you intend to do that?''] =><= [[Engage and educate the public on this issue]] [[Argue for some mechanisms to limit supermarket power]]

=======><= 'Thank you for that. I'm sorry that you've been having a difficult time recently. You're right to mention fairness; it is pretty scandalous how unevenly distributed wealth and profit in the food system is. It's quite a thorny issue to solve, unfortunately. The big retailers certainly play a part in it - they are constantly battling to have the lowest prices, which ultimately leaves very little value for primary producers. I think that customers are also maintaining that status quo. They've grown accustomed to cheap food. I'm not sure that most people would be prepared to pay more just to ensure that farmers made a little bit more money for their produce.' =><======= $farmertext['Well, I'm glad we can agree that the current system is unfair! If you really think that, then I'd say this supermarket plan is an opportunity to air out all these issues publicly. If we take a stand against them here, that might encourage a bit of a wider debate, and hopefully start to change the system for the better. What do you say?'] =><= [[I'll see what I can do.]] [[What's your endgame?]]

=><= Mr Bloomfield has a point - the amount of meat he produces is a drop in the bucket. Perhaps he isn't the right target for your anti-meat message. =======><= 'You make a good point, Mr Bloomfield. The supermarkets certainly have a lot to answer for when it comes to their involvement in industrial meat production. I really don't want to tell you how to run your business! On that note, shall we get back to the supermarket plan?' =><= Looking pleased, the farmer [[starts to respond.->What would you have me do about the plan?]]

=======><= 'I'm afraid that the facts don't bear that out. Even the best, most ethically-produced red meat in the world is worse for the local and global environment than any other food source. We need to reduce the production and consumption of those animals across the board.' =><= Mr Bloomfield glares back at you, his face taking on a beetroot hue. =><======= $farmertext['Those animals have been my life for 47 years. I treat them well, they have the best lives any animal could wish for, and we turn them into top-quality products. (text-style: "shudder")[You're telling me to pack it all in?']] =><= [[Yes - your land could be put to better use!]] [[I'm not saying it needs to happen overnight... but yes]]

=><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)Mr Bloomfield has clearly thought this through - it seems like he imagines the supermarket plan as the space for a heroic clash between the forces of good and evil, with farmers naturally triumphing against the money-grubbing men in suits. He may be right that a debate needs to be had, but is this really the hill you want to die on? =======><= 'Well, Mr Bloomfield, nothing is set in stone yet. I'm not going to promise anything at this stage, but I will think on what you've said and see how it matches up with what other people say today. Can I help you with anything else?' =><= Mr Bloomfield slaps his thighs and starts to get to his feet. =><======= $farmertext['No, no, I think I've got my point across.'] =><= [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)You find yourself intrigued by Mr Bloomfield's proposition, but you feel that you ought to press him for more details. =======><= 'Ok, let's say that we did take a stand here. How do you imagine that would all pan out? I mean, I don't think we want to leave the site derelict just to make a political statement.' =><======= $farmertext['No, no... no one's suggesting that. I can't really say how it would all turn out in the end, to be honest with you. Of course, it would be a risk. But someone needs to stand up to these companies, and it might as well be us! As for what happens to the site, I'm sure if the community came together, we could come up with something far better than another bloody LISCO! That's a question for another time, I expect...'] =><= Mr Bloomfield's voice gradually trails off - he appears lost in thought. =======><= 'Thank you, Mr Bloomfield. I think I understand your vision now.' =><= [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=======><= 'I think a core problem is the lack of public awareness. We can't expect supermarkets to be shouting from the rooftops about how little they pay farmers for their produce! If the public were better informed, that could create some momentum behind a campaign for change. Something like this has happened in the EU; in 2018, they carried out an opinion poll which found that 88% of respondents supported the notion of strengthening the role of farmers in food supply chains. In response, they introduced measures to <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_19_2629" target="_blank">increase price transparency</a> - making people aware of how the money that they spend on, say, a bottle of olive oil, is actually distibuted throughout the food system.' =><======= $farmertext['That does sound promising. I'm sure that this doesn't really occur to people when they go shopping - a bit more transparency would shock a lot of them! It's a good start, anyway.] =><= [[To get back to the plan, what would you have me do about it?->What would you have me do about the plan?]] [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=><======= $mumtext['I think it's great! Honestly, it's been a long time coming. If I want to do a big shop, I've got to drive all the way out to the business park on the edge of town for a decent supermarket. All the other towns near here have something like that in their town centres; I don't see why we have been lagging behind them for so long. So for me, the plan would make things much more convenient. And another thing - the site where they're proposing to build this supermarket is such an eyesore at the moment, and it has been for a while now. It looks grim, kids are messing around there at night... it's just a waste of space. Someone needs to bloody put it to good use!'] =><= Linda lets that hang in the air before continuing =><======= $mumtext['So, yeah. That's how I feel about it all.'] =><= You consider how to respond: [[Wonderful! Are there any particular details of the plan that are important to you?->Support]] [[Play devil's advocate...]]

=======><= 'And who's this little one?' you say in your best 'speaking to babies and animals' voice. =><======= $mumtext['This is Leslie! She's very opinionated, so she insisted on coming along.'] =======><= 'Haha, aww, I bet she is. You'll go far, Leslie!' =><= You bring your face down to Leslie's level and give her a little tickle. She gurgles appreciatively. You meet a fair few babies in your line of work, and it always reminds you of the ultimate purpose of your role - to try and ensure the safety and prosperity of future generations. Filled with resolve, you take a seat opposite Linda and ask her for her views on the local supermarket plan. [[What do you think of the supermarket plan?]]

=======><= 'When it comes to making use of the space, I absolutely agree with you. I'm sure that a supermarket would be a significant improvement, but that's not saying much. Before we fully commit to that, don't you think that we should consider some other ways to use the space? I mean, the supermarket brings with it a lot of benefits for the town, don't get me wrong. But there are drawbacks as well: you've got noise pollution, air pollution from all the cars, visually it may not be that appealing...' =><= Linda takes her opportunity to jump in: =><======= $mumtext['I see what you're saying, but I think for me, and for a lot of people, the benefits will outweigh those drawbacks. Having a supermarket centrally in the town will save me so much time each week. Isn't that worth a bit of noise? And what else would you be using the space for anyway?'] =><= [[More Allotments?]] [[Covered market]] [[Houses, a school, a hospital]]

=======><= 'I'm sure that building a supermarket will have some practical benefits. But don't you worry that we might be losing something by building a big supermarket in the town centre? Instead of having something uniquely ours that might create a bit of interest, we'll end up with the same cookie-cutter complex that you can find anywhere else in the country. For me, that's a slippery slope to a future that I don't want to see for this community.' =><= Linda laughs. =><======= $mumtext['I really didn't expect you to be such a head-in-the-clouds kind of person! There's a reason why these supermarkets have caught on - cos they're popular and people like to have them where they live! I don't think that it would detract from our "local identity" at all. It's not like we're bulldozing York Minster to build the thing; it'll be going up on what is essentially a no-man's land at the moment. I don't see a problem with it at all.'] =><= [[Push on - the supermarket is bad for the town]] [[Acquiesce]]

=======><= 'I take your point about convenience. I do worry, though, that supermarkets are a key part of a system that encourages us to eat badly. Think about how many ultra-processed food options there are in your average supermarket. All those ready meals with sky-high levels of salt and saturated fat... It's safe to say that these companies are not acting in your best interest. They are trying to grow their profits, and if our collective health is sacrificed in the process, then so be it. I admit that they are not solely responsible for what has happened to our national eating habits, but I think they have a lot to answer for on that score. Perhaps we should take a stand against the supermarket plan on those grounds.' =><======= $mumtext['I'm not sure that we should,'] says Linda. $mumtext['All that supermarkets do is offer a choice of products, some healthy and wholesome, others not so much. I think people know the difference; if they choose to buy more of the unhealthy options, then that's on them, isn't it? They need to take some responsibility for their own decisions rather than passing the buck all the time.'] =><= [[Make a case for farmers]] [[Are you sure that people have enough information to make good choices?]] [[Agree - beware the nanny state!]]

=======><= 'Hmm, we could turn it into allotments, for example. I've seen some amazing examples of how you can grow food for the community in the middle of an urban space. There was a <a href="https://slowfoodusa.org/remembering-south-central-farm-and-supporting-public-green-spaces/" target="_blank">brilliant urban farm in South Central LA</a> for many years. It may be a radical step for the town, but I think the benefits of something like that would be innumerable. Just imagine what a boon that could be for our biodiversity, our air quality...' =><= Linda considers your suggestion. =><======= $mumtext['Well, I mean, that sounds lovely, of course... I know what the waiting list for an allotment is like around here, so some more plots couldn't hurt. But a few more allotments for a bunch of retirees isn't exactly gonna make it an "urban farm," is it? It's a great idea for people who have the time, but a supermarket has got to be better for more people, don't you think? What you're talking about sounds like a huge project - is there actually enough interest in the town to get it done? I'm guessing you don't have the time to be organising all that.'] =======><= 'Haha, you're not wrong there!' =><= [[Well, I'm just throwing out ideas->Noncomittal]] [[Defend your idea!]] [[Move on]]

=======><= 'Instead of a supermarket, what about a covered market, for instance? We could create a space for local producers and craftspeople to sell directly to consumers in the town centre. The revenue generated there would then feed back into the local economy and not be transported away as it is in the case of supermarkets. There are great UK examples that we could be emulating - take Preston, for example, and their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/preston-hit-rock-bottom-took-back-control" target="_blank">guerrilla localism.</a> =><======= $mumtext['Hmm... I like the idea of everything being under one roof. As long as it's nice and convenient to shop there, I'm happy. It's just the price factor that would worry me. Something like that couldn't possibly match the value you get in a supermarket, could it? I'm all for supporting local people and their businesses, but my pounds can only stretch so far.'] =><= [[Well, I'm just throwing out ideas->Noncomittal]] [[Defend your market idea]] [[Move on]]

=======><= 'The space doesn't necessarily have to be used as a shopping space. It could be used for housing, a new hospital or school... there's a lot of physical infrastructure that we sorely need - a supermarket might not be the most urgent thing for us here.' =><======= $mumtext['Of course, we need all those things too! Say what you will about the supermarket idea, at least the plan is on the table right now, isn't it? These other uses that you've mentioned, they are all totally different projects that'll need funding, design proposals, planning permission, all that jazz. Meanwhile, the land will be sitting there idle for years on end! I know you're always thinking about your house building targets, but I don't think we can afford to scrap this supermarket plan that's come so far already in favour of one that hasn't even been devised yet.'] =><= [[Well, I'm just throwing out ideas->Noncomittal]] [[Defend your housing idea]] [[Move on]]

=><= (set:$upsetmum to true)You find that Linda's optimism about the supermarket plan irks you somewhat. You decide to carry on arguing with her. =======><= 'At least the no-man's land isn't actively harming the town, which a supermarket can, in many ways! Most of the value it generates will not be felt here, instead it'll go to line the pockets of some fat cats in London. Not only will it not enrich the local area, it has the potential to put pressure on small local businesses, perhaps even forcing them to close. And what do we get in return? Food which has been produced through the exploitation of people and planet, a lot of which will ultimately be wasted anyway. (text-style: "shudder")[I'll take the no-man's land, thank you very much!'] =><= Silence falls on the meeting room. Linda shakes her head in disbelief. =><======= $mumtext + (text-size:0.75)['Wow.'] =><= Morgan suddenly appears at your shoulder. =><======= $morgantext['I think what we mean is that we're carefully considering all the options related to the supermarket plan. Your input is greatly appreciated, Mrs Miles - thank you for coming in.'] =><= Linda gathers her things and gets ready to leave. =><======= $mumtext['Sounds like someone has a case of supermarket derangement syndrome! It's all well and good to have your morals, but remember that you work for us; most people here want the plans to go ahead.'] =><= With that, Linda leaves. As the door clicks shut, Morgan turns to you. =><======= $morgantext['What the hell was that?'] =><= [[I got a little carried away]] [[I stand by what I said]]

=><= You don't see the need to push Linda too far on this topic - she's making perfectly fair points. Perhaps the relationship between the town's local character and the supermarket plan is not a zero-sum game. =======><= 'Fair enough, Linda! I just thought I'd play devil's advocate with you.' =><= [[Wrap things up]]

=><= (set:$mumcomplete to 1)You look away sheepishly. =======><= 'Sorry, I got a little carried away there...' =><= Morgan purses his lips at you. =><======= $morgantext['Remember, you're not on Question Time - today is just about listening to the views of your voters. I know you love a good argument but there's a time and a place!'] =======><= 'I know, I know - it's fine, it won't happen again.' =><= After some calming breaths, you walk over to the door, ready to choose your next constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=><= (set:$mumcomplete to 1)You shrug. =======><= 'What was what? That's how I feel. Isn't authenticity what the people want from me?' =><======= $morgantext['Well, yes, but maybe not that much. Just tone it down a bit, ok?'] =======><= 'Ok, ok, I hear you.' =><= You wave Morgan away and head to the door to invite in your next constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= 'Supermarkets give us customers a lot of choice, that's true, but what about the farmers that they work with? These companies have grown so large and powerful that farmers have little choice but to work with one or another of them. The contracts that these farmers enter into are flawed in many ways, but the supermarkets have no trouble getting away with it! I'm sure you've heard about <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33777075" target="_blank">dairy farmers</a> getting paid less than the cost of production for a litre of milk, for example. Supermarkets certainly give us the impression of choice and abundance when we go shopping, but not everyone in the food chain is getting to enjoy those.' =><= Linda looks unfazed. =><======= $mumtext['I wouldn't be surprised if supermarkets were pretty cutthroat in how they do business. If you're not happy with something that they're doing, isn't that something for you lot in Parliament to sort out? If you did that, we could have our cake and eat it too; build the supermarket here for the community, and fix those contracts so that farmers are having a better time of it. Everybody's happy!'] =><= [[Wrap things up]]

=><= You suppose that Linda has a point. Choice and convenience are sacred for many of us these days. Any threats or changes to those will be firmly resisted - you're sure that voters like Linda will punish you at the ballot box if you're seen to be interfering with their food. =======><= 'You know what, Linda, you may be right. It's not my place to tell people what to eat, or how to feed their kids. I suppose that a supermarket will create possibilities for good choices as well as bad.' =><======= $mumtext['Yeah, that's right. Let people make their own mistakes!'] =><= [[Wrap things up]]

=><======= $cafetext['You know what, I'm in two minds about it. On the one hand, if it brings more people into the town centre, that's gonna be good for business. And then you've got all the workmen while the whole place is being built, they'll be coming in for food... so there are some positives for me. But, having said that, there are a few things that worry me. The big one is whether or not the supermarket has its own cafe. If it does, I won't be too pleased, cos obviously that's a new competitor. I also think a big supermarket might not be too good for the character of the place, you know, just the feel of it. So I'm on the fence at the moment, really!'] =><= [[If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]] [[How is business these days?]] [[About the character of the town...]]

=><======= $cafetext['If I were you, I wouldn't rush it. I'd take the time to do it properly. I get that some people might just sign on the dotted line and get going with it, but I'd say you need to be careful with all the details of this plan. We'll all be living with their consequences for a long time, so they'd better be right!'] =><= [[What if the supermarket gets impatient?]] [[Why don't we create something for ourselves?]]

=><= Abdul grins weakly. =><======= $cafetext['We're surviving! The last few years have been pretty tough. We've still got our regulars, and business has been pretty steady, but the cost of everything has just gone through the roof. Energy, rent, staffing, you name it. We've had to pass a lot of that onto our customers, which is always difficult for us. It's sad to say, cos I love the place, but staying open is looking harder and harder to justify.'] =><= Abdul's weak grin has faded, replaced with a serious, faraway look. [[What should the government be doing to help?]] [[Are you really doing everything you can for the business?]]

=======><= 'Hmm, ok... That last point you made, about how a supermarket might affect the character of the place - what do you mean exactly?' =><======= $cafetext['Well, you know, they're pretty ugly things, aren't they? A supermarket won't be adding anything special to this town, something unique that makes us stand out, that makes people remember this place. What it will do is make more noise, encourage more vehicles into the town centre... I'm just not sure that it'll do us much good in the long run.'] =======><= 'I see...' =><= [[Yes... but it'll bring other benefits!]] [[We can put our own spin on the plan!]]

=======><= 'Of course, we're all taking the plan seriously. We certainly don't want to rush into anything. The supermarket won't wait forever, though! I think if we overcomplicate things too much for them, they might take their plan and go somewhere else. That would be pretty embarrassing for us, and a fair bit of public money and time will have been wasted. Doesn't that worry you?' =><= Abdul shrugs. =><======= $cafetext['It does, but I think you've got to show these companies who's boss. If they want to build here, they've got to be a bit flexible. And if they can't be, then we'll make do without them.'] =><= [[Move on->Let him go]]

=======><= 'As you know, nothing has been signed yet, so we're still able to ditch the current proposal. Of course, that would only be sensible if there was an alternative proposal on the table, which there isn't right now. Do you think the council should work on an alternative plan?' =><======= $cafetext['Yes, I don't see why not. What sort of proposal would it be?'] =======><= 'Well, we'd have to have some discussions about that. But I expect it could be something more community-focused. The space could be shaped to meet multiple local needs rather than just the one. I don't want to be too hasty, but I think the space has potential which the supermarket plan is likely to leave untapped.' =><= Abdul nods again in agreement. =><======= $cafetext['Anything that helps the community here will have my support. That's what we do as a cafe, so I've seen how important that is over the 20 years I've been in business here. You don't want to lose that sense of community, but if the pubs close, and the greasy spoons close, and the youth clubs close... what's left for people, you know?'] =><= [[I'll keep that in mind]]

=======><= 'I'm so sorry to hear that - it's been a bad few years for a lot of small businesses, so you're certainly not alone. Aside from any action on the supermarket plan, is there anything specific you'd like me to push for in Westminster that might help you out?' =><= Abdul thinks for a moment. =><======= $cafetext['Hmm, well, have you heard what this guy Tom Kerridge has been up to recently? About his campaign to cut VAT for restaurants and cafes? I don't know where you stand on that, but it would help us to keep going. It's a bit funny that we've got customers paying the highest VAT in Europe. That might be something to think about?'] =><= [[Hmm, I haven't heard about that...]] [[There are problems with the VAT reduction idea]] [[You're right, the VAT situation doesn't seem fair. We'll consider it!]]

=======><= 'I'm sorry to hear that you've had a tough few years. Are you sure you're doing everything you can on your end to boost the business?' =><= Abdul's eyes widen and he crosses his arms. =><======= $cafetext['Yes! I'm doing absolutely everything! I've been working like hell, of course, but we've also been trying a few promotion-type things to get more people through the doors. Kids can get half-price meals on Saturdays, for example. We've got a loyalty card now too - every eighth fried breakfast is free for card holders. They seem to be making some difference, but I'm not sure it's enough to keep us going long-term.'] =><= You're pleased to hear that Abdul has been experimenting, but you had some other ideas in mind... [[Social media marketing!]] [[It's time for radical change]]

=======><= 'You're right, one more supermarket in the world isn't particularly special and I doubt it will be very easy on the eye. The other drawbacks you mentioned are also significant - the plan will need to account for those. When all's said and done, though, I think the practical and economic benefits outweigh your... aesthetic concerns. The plan will bring jobs for local people, as well as convenience and savings for customers. We shouldn't pass these things up without good reason.' =><======= $cafetext['Fine, I get that, but I think you've got to get the balance right. If you keep putting "aesthetic concerns" to the side, all your economic growth will be worthless cos everyone here will be miserable! But hey, you know your business, I'm just giving you my opinion.'] =><= Would you like to ask Abdul anything else? Or would you rather move on to another constituent? [[Speaking of economic growth, how's business these days?->How is business these days?]] [[Move on to someone else->Let him go]]

=======><= 'Most supermarkets aren't much to look at, that's true, but there's room in the plan for us to push for something better. Rather than rolling over and accepting the supermarket's first proposal, I reckon if we stick to our guns we can secure a design that reflects something of our local character. There's a good example of this in X, for example.' =><= Abdul brightens. =><======= $cafetext['Ok, I think we definitely should. I'm still lukewarm on the whole idea, but a little unique twist would be something, at least. It shows that the plan has been thought through, you know?'] =><= You make a mental note to bring this up in your next meeting with the council. Is there anything else you'd like to ask Abdul? Or will you move on to someone else? [[How is business these days?]] [[Move on to someone else->Let him go]]

=======><= 'That all sounds great! I'm glad to hear that you're trying some things out. I think there's something you're neglecting at the minute, though - social media! There's a certain crowd that are really drawn to greasy spoons, especially on Instagram; they're writing about them, reviewing them... Here, let me show you what I mean.' =><= You pull up some examples on your phone and walk over to show them to Abdul. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caffs_not_cafes/?hl=en link" target="_blank">Caffs Not Cafes</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesdimitri/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=AoEowBjeMa2clUotJn1Bp9r" target="_blank">James Dimitri</a> =======><= 'I know that a lot of this is London-based, but there's no reason why this interest couldn't spread to other parts of the country. If you work on your online presence, you could attract the attention of some of these people. Their audiences then become your potential customers.' =><======= $cafetext['Ok, well, our online presence could be a bit more interesting, I'll give you that. My nephew is glued to his phone - I'll see if he can help us out.'] =======><= 'Excellent! I look forward to seeing how it goes.' =><= Would you like to ask Abdul more about the supermarket plan? Or would you rather move on to another constituent? [[Ask him what he'd do about the plan->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]] [[Let him go]]

=======><= (set:$upsetabdul to true)'Listen, I love your food, don't get me wrong. However, don't you think that some of the issues your business is facing could be down to how people's tastes have changed over the years? Lots of us are more health-conscious than we used to be, and plant-based diets are growing in popularity. These sorts of trends are working against you, sadly. You know what they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. Have you considered making a more radical change to the cafe to, maybe, fit into a new niche, or catch the attention of different sorts of customers?' =><= Abdul looks down and shakes his head. =><======= $cafetext['I don't think that is our biggest problem. As I said, we still have our loyal regulars in the cafe. Can you imagine how they'd react if we suddenly went vegan? We'd be completely leaping into the unknown and abandoning a business model that's worked for us here for 20 years. It's easy to talk about these things when it's not your business on the line.'] =><= [[Point taken!]] [[Defend your idea]]

You push open the door for Martin. He goes in, walks over to Morgan and introduces himself, and then takes a seat at the round table. After an apologetic glance out at the constituents left in the meeting room, you join him at the table. =======><= 'How can I help you today, Martin?' =><======= $exectext['I know you're very busy, so I'll get down to brass tacks. Obviously we caught wind of the open surgery that you were holding today. Our business interests mean a great deal to us, so the company sent me to see how everything has gone so far. We are aware that emotions have been running high in recent weeks and months over our proposal. We hope that, despite that, you aren't thinking of making any rash decisions vis-a-vie the project.'] =><= He smiles at you again, and his eyes shine with an animalistic intensity. He waits for you to respond. [[Not at all!]] [[No - but I think we need to take our time with the project]] [[The project is wrong for the town - I intend to stop it]]

=======><= 'I think I see what you're saying, Martin. People are certainly getting worked up over the plan, and I've heard a lot of opinions today about it all. On balance, I feel that the supermarket will be a net positive for the town, so I'm not going to cause you any trouble!' =><= Martin lets out a hollow laugh, opening his mouth to show a void fringed with perfect white teeth. =><======= $exectext['Hohoho, that's what we like to hear! In that case, I will leave you to it.'] =><= He springs up and you shake hands again. =><======= $exectext['Thanks for your time. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again quite soon.'] =======><= 'Yes, I'm sure we will. Bye now!' =><= Martin strides back out of the meeting room, and the door closes behind him with a soft click. [[Later that day...]]

=======><= 'I see what you're saying, Martin. I have certainly felt some of those emotions in my conversations today. In my view, because people here have such wide-ranging opinions on the matter, the only responsible way forward is a cautious and considered one. I intend to take more of an interest in the plan as it progresses, and I will liase with the council to ensure that my constituents are getting the best deal possible. The plan ought to suit the needs and desires of local people first and foremost.' =><= Martin's brow furrows with displeasure. =><======= $exectext[Right... my only concern is that this may cause issues of timescale. Perhaps we should take our plans somewhere a bit more... compliant?] =><= [[Whoa, now who's making rash decisions!?]] [[Call his bluff]]

=><= The exec smiles a satisfied smile. =><======= $exectext['So... you're not going to be a problem for us, are you?'] =><= [[Not at all!]]

=><= You flash Martin a smile. =======><= 'Perhaps you should. In the meantime, I've got lots of people left to meet with today. I'd like to get back to that if you don't mind.' =><= As you start to rise from your chair, Martin raises a hand- =><======= $exectext['Wait, wait, wait - let's not be too hasty, now. On second thought, I'm sure that we've got some room to manoeuvre....'] =><= [[Later that day...]]

=><= (set:$mumcomplete to 1)You thank the mum for her visit, and assure her that you'll keep her views in mind as the project progresses. She gathers up her things, wishes you well, and heads back out into the study area. After a moment, you go to the door yourself and look out into the waiting area to choose your next constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=><= You decide to latch onto Linda's point about people knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy choices. =======><= 'I'm sorry, Linda, but I think it's a bit more complicated than you're making it out to be. Sure, sometimes it's fairly obvious what the 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' options are - let's take Coco-Pops versus porridge oats as an example. But our modern food supply chains have grown so large and complex that it's often impossible to have full information about what you're eating, especially if it's a ready-made product. The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission have <a href="https://youtu.be/I_tAgrmpwr8?si=LTws-8rnftyIK8hA" target="_blank">a great video</a> that goes into detail on this, if you're interested. My point is that the origins of some of the foods you get in a supermarket are murky, to say the least. None of us are fully equipped to make good choices when we go shopping.' =><======= $mumtext['Well, I guess that's because most people don't want full information - I certainly wouldn't; shopping is tedious enough! Of course, it's nice to know exactly where your food is coming from, who's made it and all the rest of it. We used to get our bread from the old bakers in the high street; that was a lovely little place, you could tell they really cared about what they were doing. But I think the world has moved on from that. I don't have enough time to be carefully sourcing every little thing I put in my kitchen cupboards, and I doubt many people around here do! For me, the convenience of a supermarket is worth losing a bit of that closeness to the people making the food.'] =><= [[Wrap things up]]

=><= (set:$mumconvinced to true)Would you like to try a different tack with Linda, or wrap up the conversation and move on to another constituent? [[Are supermarkets encouraging us to eat well?]] [[What will the plan mean for our local identity?]] [[Wrap things up]]

=======><= 'Cutting VAT sounds good on paper, but it has some issues I'm afraid. What this campaign is proposing is a huge tax cut, and like with any tax cut, it has to be funded by increasing other taxes, more borrowing or spending cuts elsewhere. We'd have to rob Peter to pay Paul. I can see that you need some support, but this isn't the way to go, in my opinion.' =><= Abdul isn't about to take that lying down. =><======= $cafetext['Well, it's a good job we've got plenty of Peters running about at the moment then, isn't it? What about this wealth tax I keep hearing about? There's a lot of people out there who've made a killing since Covid and who aren't paying their fair share. That's your funding right there.'] =><= He jabs the table with an insistent index finger and gives you a defiant stare. [[We're getting way off topic!]] [[We're looking into that - but I don't make the calls!]]

=======><= 'The strain that your business is under at the moment does worry me. Any business having to close is tragic, but something like yours that has served this community for two decades is especially important. Changes to VAT may be something that we need to consider to bring some stability and confidence back to the industry.' =><======= $cafetext['Ok, well I'm glad to hear that. I hope I've made you more aware of how tough things are out there right now.'] =======><= 'You have.' =><= Would you like to let Abdul go? Or would you like to refocus on the supermarket plan? [[Let him go]] [[Refocus->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]]

=><= (set:$abdulconvinced to true)After a nervous pause, you start to reply. =======><= 'Listen, Abdul, I think we're getting way off topic here. Can we get back to the supermarket plan?' =><======= 'Ok, sure.' =><= Abdul has a triumphant glint in his eye. [[Ask what Abdul wants you to do about the plan->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]]

=======><= (set:$abdulconvinced to true)'I'm aware of all this buzz about a wealth tax. The bottom line is we want to help businesses to thrive. As far as I'm concerned, nothing is off the table right now, but there are obviously a lot of discussions and debates that need to be had before anything is enacted.' =><= Abdul rolls his eyes, frustrated by your non-commital answer. You carry on: =======><= 'But, you know what, I'm glad you've mentioned it. We work for you, so if I hear the same thing again and again from lots of different people in this area, that's something I can certainly pass on and make a noise about.' =><= Abdul takes a deep breath. =><======= $cafetext['Right, well I'll be listening out for that.'] =><= His tone doesn't leave you feeling reassured. Do you want to get any more of Abdul's thoughts on the supermarket plan? Or would you rather move on to another constituent? [[Ask what he thinks you should do about the plan->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]] [[Move on to someone else->Let him go]]

=><======= $farmertext['Thank you. It's been a difficult few months, but what can you do?'] =><= After a shrug, his eyes widen as he starts to speak again. =><======= $farmertext['I mean, is there anything you can do? Pull some strings for me, you know?'] =><= [[I'll make some calls and see what I can do]] [[I can't do anything for you personally]]

=><======= $farmertext['Oh, well that'd be much appreciated, thank you!'] =><= Mr Bloomfield seems taken aback; you suspect the meeting has already exceeded his expectations. You're fairly sure that Morgan won't be thrilled with you making these sorts of promises, but you don't see the harm in a few comforting words. [[Anyway, shall we get down to business?->Ask him for his thoughts on the supermarket plan]]

=><= Mr Bloomfield nods and his eyes that briefly widened with hope shrink back down to size again. =><======= $farmertext['Of course, I understand, it wouldn't do for you to have favourites, now, would it? Never mind all that, let me say what I came here to say...'] =><= [[Please, go ahead!->Ask him for his thoughts on the supermarket plan]]

=======><= 'You're absolutely right about the heritage breeds - no one is asking you to completely drop them overnight. However, if you go out of business and have to sell up, you'll lose your animals anyway. I think it'd be sensible to introduce some modern breeds into your flocks gradually, just to help you stay afloat. You're an asset to the local area and we don't want to lose you! I just think you need to be pragmatic about things.' =><= Mr Bloomfield lets out a long sigh. =><======= $farmertext['Well, thanks for your advice. My son will be pleased to hear that you're with him on this!'] =><= Is there anything else you'd like to ask Mr Bloomfield? Or will you let him go and speak to your next constituent? [[Get more details about his business->Tell me more about the business side of things.]] [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=======><= 'Those are all fair points, Mr Bloomfield. Heritage breeds certainly have their place in our food system, and I wouldn't want us to lose them. On the topic of the supermarket though, I really don't think that the sort of farming that you do will be impacted badly by the plans at all. The vast majority of those who buy meat from the new supermarket would not have been buying meat from you anyway. Your niche market will still exist if the plans go through.' =><= Mr Bloomfield's eyes narrow as he fixes you with a sceptical stare. =><======= $farmertext['Well, I don't think we need to take that risk. And like I said, it's not just the local supermarket plan that I take issue with, but supermarkets as a whole in their treatment of farmers. Even if the new supermarket doesn't affect my business too badly, you can be damn sure it'll be squeezing some other poor sod out there. It's the principle of the thing that I object to.'] =><= [[You feel that Mr Bloomfield has made his point.->Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=======><= (set:$cafecomplete to 1)'Thank you so much for coming in today - it's great to hear your views.' =><= You shake Abdul's hand again and start walking with him back towards the meeting room door. =><======= $cafetext['No worries at all, boss. Come and see us in the cafe sometime!'] =><= He gives you a couple of slaps on the back for good measure before heading off back through the study area. Once he's gone, you survey the waiting room and start to choose your next constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1) (set:$upsetfarmer to true)'I think your land has incredible potential. I'm just not sure that grazing sheep and cattle is the best way to tap into it. You've got options like-' =><======= $farmertext + (text-style: "shudder")['I've heard enough now, thank you.'] =><= The farmer lurches to his feet with a thunderous expression on his face and heads for the door without another word. =======><= 'Thank you for comi-' =><= (text-style: "rumble") + (text-size:2)[SLAM!!] The force of the door flutters some papers on your table. You turn around and look at Morgan, who grins and gives you a double thumbs-up. After taking a moment to collect yourself (and your errant papers), you walk back out to the study area to invite in another constituent. [[Choose another constituent->Choose a Constituent]]

=><= Mr Bloomfield's passion for his animals is clear, and you feel a twinge of guilt for challenging the farmer on this. =======><= 'All I'm saying is that collectively we all need to think about the amount of meat we produce and eat. I don't mean for you to get rid of all your animals and totally transform your business overnight. Of course, they will still have a role to play for the time being in making our beautiful countryside what it is.' =><= Mr Bloomfield seems somewhat mollified. =><======= $farmertext['Well, I should hope not!'] =======><= 'What we're doing to help farmers like yourself with that transition is our Environmental Land Management schemes - they are a new set of subsidies that will pay you for actions that benefit the environment.' =><======= $farmertext['We're aware of them, my son is busy with the applications now, as it happens.'] =======><= 'Oh, that's great. If you need any help or advice on those, please send me an email and we can set up another meeting. Now, as for the supermarket plan...' =><= [[Get back to the plan->What would you have me do about the plan?]]

=><= Before your words have even left your lips, Morgan slides into your peripheral vision with a ghostly smoothness. He presents you with his laptop, which you see has a couple of webpages open. <a href="https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/" target="_blank">VATs the Problem website</a> <a href="https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/06/12/hospitality-vat-cut-who-benefits/" target="_blank">Tax Policy Associates Report</a> After briefly scanning both pages, you pass the laptop back to Morgan, turn your eyes to Abdul again and start to tell him your thoughts. [[There are problems with the VAT reduction idea]] [[You're right, the VAT situation doesn't seem fair. We'll consider it!]]

=======><= (set:$cafecomplete to 1)'Now, unless there's anything else you'd like to say, I'll let you get back to work.' =><======= $cafetext['No, that's fine, thank you!'] =><= Abdul leans over and shakes your hand again. You get up and walk him over to the door. =======><= 'I'll have to pop in for lunch sometime - maybe I'll come by after this!' =><= Abdul chuckles. =><======= $cafetext['We'd be happy to see you. Take care now!'] =><= He marches off through the study area. It's time to meet with another constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= (set:$mumcomplete to 1)'Thank you very much for that, Mrs Miles. I know that we're a bit late to the party compared to some of our neighbouring towns. It's all before I was in post here, but I understand there was a fair bit of local resistance to other plans that were proposed in the past... that's water under the bridge now, anyway! Now, are there any specifics that really matter to you? If so, I'll be sure to mention them when I meet with the council next week.' =><= Linda thinks for a moment. =><======= $mumtext['Hmm, no, not really, beyond all the usual bits and bobs that you'd expect. You know, a cafe might be nice, maybe a pharmacy... I think any extras can only improve the place.'] =======><= 'Ok, well, unless there's anything else you'd like to add, I think I'll let you get on with your day.' =><= Linda shakes her head and starts to rise. =><======= $mumtext['No, thank you, I really just wanted to register my support for this whole business. Thanks for your time.'] =======><= 'Likewise! Take care of yourselves!' =><= You rush over to the meeting room door and hold it open for Linda as she trundles out. You catch Morgan's eye as the door closes. =><======= $morgantext['That was a nice and easy one!'] =><= [[Time to choose another constituent->Choose a Constituent]]

=><= You decide to challenge Linda on her support for the supermarket plan. You love a good debate; why else would you get into politics? How exactly are you going to go about this? [[Is a supermarket really the best use for that space?]] [[Are supermarkets encouraging us to eat well?]] [[What will the plan mean for our local identity?]]

=======><= (set:$mumcomplete to 1)'I'm just throwing out ideas here - but do you see my point? A supermarket may be an easy option for the town, but it's far from the only option we should be thinking about.' =><= Linda's expression is inscrutable; does she think you're completely mad? =><======= $mumtext['Well, yes, of course there are plenty of options,'] she says. $mumtext['Whatever happens with the site, I think it needs to happen fast! It would be silly for it to sit there empty for years while we consult and deliberate and plan... just choose something and get on with it, you know?'] =><= You can sympathise with Linda's impatience. After the stagnation of the last few years, there's clearly a big appetite for change amongst some of the townsfolk! =======><= 'I'll keep that in mind. Thank you very much for coming in, Linda, I appreciate it.' =><= You shake hands again and follow Linda as she gathers her things and starts to head for the door. =><======= $mumtext['Good luck with the plan! I hope it's gonna work out well for us.'] =><= You nod, smile warmly, and wave goodbye as Linda leaves the meeting room and walks back out through the waiting area. It's time to choose another constituent to meet with. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= 'You've made some fair points there. If the space were to be used for traditional allotments, then I'd agree with you; a supermarket would probably be more of a net positive for the town overall. But I think if we framed the project differently, as more of an urban farm type idea, and if we could rally enough support behind it, it could become something truly transformational. If you're not convinced, check out this documentary when you get the chance.' =><= You scribble down a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-3f678vys" target="_blank">YouTube URL</a> on a post-it note and hand it to Linda. She takes it, glances at it, and tucks it away in a coat pocket. =><======= $mumtext['Thank you - I'll do that.'] =><= [[Move on]]

=======><= 'You have a point about cheapness. I doubt that local sellers could match the cheapest prices that your average supermarket can offer. However, you'd be getting so much more for your money, whichever way you slice it, whether you want to think about nutritional quality, carbon footprint, keeping local heritage alive and ensuring that local businesses can survive... I could go on.' =><= Linda nods and sighs deeply. =><======= $mumtext['I know... If we end up in that situation, it's something I will have to think about.'] =><= [[Move on]]

=======><= 'You're right, these alternative ideas will obviously take time to implement. I think it's worth spending a bit of time to make sure that we get the absolute most that we can out of this piece of land. The housing targets are certainly important to the government, but some high-quality new homes will be great for local people, too.' =><======= $mumtext['I just feel bad about the place being stuck in limbo while you make your decisions. Work with the plan we've got and get on with it, if I were you. A supermarket might not be the perfect thing to put there, but it'll make life easier for a lot of us.'] [[Move on]]

=><= You nod your head in agreement. =======><= 'Yeah, you're right. I just thought I'd throw it out there as an idea. Your business is your business!' =><======= $cafetext['Thank you - I appreciate it, anyway.'] =><= Would you like to ask Abdul what he thinks you should do about the supermarket plan? Or would you rather let him go and move on to another constituent? [[Ask him what he'd do about the plan->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]] [[Let him go]]

'I know it's easy for me to sit here and tell you what you should be doing when there's nothing at stake for me. But I do think if you want your business to survive in the long-term, you've got to take the idea of a radical change seriously. Lots of cafe owners have had to make changes in recent years - I read <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-58572109" target="_blank">an article about one such place in Bristol</a>, for example. It doesn't hurt to be open to change, anyway, does it?' $cafetext['Hmm... I suppose we could try some new things out on the menu and see how the customers react. Keeping the business going is what matters to us, at the end of the day. You won't see us going meat-free any time soon, though!'] Is there anything else you'd like to ask Abdul? Or will you move on to someone else? [[Get back to the supermarket plan->If you were in my shoes, what would you do about the plan?]] [[Let him go]]

=><= You push open the door to the meeting room and have a quick glance around the space. There's a round table and chairs, three square windows set in the opposite wall, and your assistant Morgan perched on a chair in the far corner of the room, already tapping away on his laptop. He snaps it shut as you close the door behind you and walk over to greet him. =><======= $morgantext['Ah, glad you could make it!'] =><= Morgan smiles his sly smile. =======><= 'I wouldn't have missed this for the world!' you reply with manufactured gusto. =><======= $morgantext['That's the spirit!' Now, do you need a little refresher on what the plan is for today, or are you good to go?'] =><= [[A refresher couldn't hurt]] [[I'm good to go!]]

=><======= $morgantext['So, we're holding an open surgery today focusing on the local supermarket plan that the council is working on at the moment. LISCO are proposing to build one of their medium-sized units on the site of the old cinema in town. It's causing a fair bit of debate amongst the locals, so we thought it'd be wise to take the temperature of the situation today. Although it's all in the hands of local government, you'll need to position yourself on the whole business - the goal of today is to help you do that. You will have seen the little waiting area outside; there should be a few punters waiting for you out there by now. I think that's everything - if you're all ready, go and bring somebody in. Don't mind me, I'll just be here in my corner.'] =><= With that, Morgan reopens his laptop and resumes his tapping. You suppose there's nothing for it but to get started. [[Look out into the waiting area->Choose a Constituent]]

=><= Surprise flashes across Morgan's face. =><======= $morgantext['Alright then! If you need anything, I'll just be here in my corner.'] =><= He reopens his laptop and returns to his emails. [[Choose a constituent->Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= 'I know that your dealings with supermarkets haven't been fair for a number of years now. This has given people the time to develop lots of policy ideas which might help to address the situation. An academic called Tim Lang has laid out a few over the years: for example, he's suggested that the government should make it legally binding for primary producers to receive twice the gross value added that they do currently - this would basically push more money down the supply chain towards you and away from other sectors. The point is that there are lots of proposals floating around out there. It's far from a hopeless situation, but there is a need for people in Parliament to agitate on your behalf.' =><======= $farmertext['And you would do that for us, would you?'] =><= Mr Bloomfield fixes you with a cold stare. His scepticism is palpable. [[I certainly will]] [[I'll do what I can]]

=><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)(set:$farmerconvinced to true)Mr Bloomfield's lack of faith has moved you to fight his corner. You assure him that you will mention his plight in Parliament at the earliest opportunity. The issues facing farmers need to be discussed openly - the manifesto be damned! He thanks you, although he doesn't look convinced. [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)It's one thing to theorise about policy proposals, and quite another to try and push them through. You don't want to rock the boat too much in Parliament - that could land you with the wrong kind of reputation and damage your future career prospects within the Party. You assure Mr Bloomfield that you'll do what you can to address his concerns. He nods and looks down - you fear that you've met his low expectations. It's time that you moved on and spoke to another constituent. [[Let Mr Bloomfield go]]

=======><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1) (set:$upsetfarmer to true)'Oh come on, Mr Bloomfield, you're not serious, are you? Just on sheer choice of products alone, supermarkets knock old farmers' markets into last century! I think people have been voting with their feet since supermarkets arrived on the scene, and it's clear that they are the preferred way to do a food shop for most people. Harking back to a bygone era won't get us anywhere.' =><= Mr Bloomfield has heard enough for one day. He gathers himself to leave. =><======= $farmertext + (text-style: "fidget")['If it goes through, this plan is going to backfire in a big way - you mark my words.'] =><= He spins on his heel and hobbles out of the meeting room. You and Morgan exchange a look. =><======= $morgantext['I think that went quite well!'] =><= Ignoring his snarky remark, you head back to the door to choose another constituent. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=======><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)'I can see where you're coming from, Mr Bloomfield. I think losing the close relationship to the people who produce our food has had some terrible consequences. An emphasis on smaller-scale local food systems would go some way towards repairing this. It will face some serious political roadblocks, however. The big supermarkets in this country have the ears of influential people in Parliament. There's a lot of support for the status quo in those corridors, so the kind of radical change that I think you want to see won't come easily, I'm afraid.' =><= Mr Bloomfield maintains a defiant stare. =><======= $farmertext['Well, that's a problem with your political system, then, isn't it? What good are you lot if you can't make important changes? The status quo isn't going to do for me.'] =><= The old farmer staggers to his feet and gets ready to leave. He has heard enough. =======><= 'Thank you for coming in, Mr Bloomfield. You've given me a lot of food for thought.' =><======= $farmertext['I should hope so!'] =><= With that, he limps out of the meeting room. [[Choose a Constituent]]

=><= (set:$farmercomplete to 1)You decide that you'd better move on to one of your other constituents. You thank Mr Bloomfield for his time and see him to the door. After a few deep breaths, you peer out of the door to see who else has arrived. [[Choose a Constituent]]

{(set: $morgantext to (font: "Elms Sans")) (set: $farmertext to (font: "Quintessential")) (set:$mumtext to (font: "Autour One")) (set:$cafetext to (font: "Asimovian")) (set: $exectext to (font: "Geo"))}

=======><= 'You're right, emotions have certainly been running high here - and with good reason! In my view, the plan will do more harm than good for the local area; I think it's wrong for the town, and I'll do what I can to ensure that it doesn't go ahead.' =><= Martin's smile widens. =><======= $exectext['As I'm sure you know, that isn't up to you. The local government will make the ultimate decision on the plan, so I'm afraid your efforts will be misplaced.'] =><= You nod in agreement and reach out behind you towards Morgan with an open right hand. It hangs in the air awkwardly for a moment before he places a plastic wallet into it. You open up the wallet and retrieve its contents - some writing paper featuring the House of Commons letterhead. =======><= 'That's true, of course. However, I think you'll find I have my ways of pulling strings around here.' =><= You reveal the paper to Martin. His smile vanishes. [[Later that day...]]

=><= *later that day...* You look out into the waiting area and find no more constituents left to meet with. You turn to Morgan and exclaim with a dry, crackling voice - =======><= 'That's the last of them!' =><= He smiles and clicks his laptop shut. =><======= $morgantext['Brilliant! In that case, I think we're done for the day.'] =======><= 'How do you think that went?' =><= Morgan pauses for thought. =><======= {$morgantext[ (if:$upsetfarmer is true)['I mean, things didn't go brilliantly with Mr Bloomfield, I think you'll agree. I worry that might have implications for the rural vote... I think he'll be filling your constituency office with cattle any day now - best be on guard for that!](else-if:$farmerconvinced is true)[I think you're right to want to speak up for farmers in Parliament. They'll be pleased to have your support.] (else-if:$upsetmum is true)[You certainly showed Linda how passionate you are about the supermarket plan! Was that outburst really necessary?] (else-if:$mumconvinced is true)[I think that discussing alternative uses for the space with Linda was probably a good approach. Hopefully that's given her some food for thought.] (else-if:$upsetabdul is true)[You went into some risky territory in your chat with Abdul! I don't think he was that keen on the idea of radical change. But perhaps you're right about that, it may be a case of 'adapt or die.'] (else-if:$abdulconvinced is true)[Abdul took you all around the houses, didn't he? It just goes to show that hospitality businesses like his are really struggling; the policy ideas that he mentioned are clear expressions of that.] (else:)[I think it all went quite well - I've got no notes!]]} =><= [[And as for the LISCO rep?]]

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=><======= $morgantext['Bit of a curveball, that, wasn't it? That was completely your call to make; let's just hope that you made the right one.'] =><= *Thank you for reading 'The Minister for Food'! Click Restart to start a new readthrough.* (click: "Restart")[(restart: )]