WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES
A Satire

August 2029

In the UK General Election, Adrian White of the Make Britain Great Again Party becomes Prime Minister. He immediately awards himself a knighthood. A week later, unprecedentedly high rainfall combined with record spring tides cause widespread flooding in London and the Houses of Parliament are evacuated. White declares a State of Emergency and suspends regular democratic processes.

In Liverpool, sixteen year old John Smith spends the afternoon with his best friend Wendy. She puts his long hair into a girl’s style, makes him up and dresses him in one of her party dresses and together they go out nightclubbing.

May 2039

Like all economies worldwide, the UK’s is tanking. International travel has ceased for all but the billionaire class due to a lack of aviation fuel; cars with empty petrol tanks litter the streets. Prime Minister For Life Sir Adrian White declares a ban on annual leave, instead introducing a month long work exchange every year in an effort to boost the economy. “After all, a change is as good as a rest” he declares.

In Liverpool, John starts his exchange job at a women’s designer boutique dressed from head to toe in their brands. The following day, in solidarity, Wendy wears a man’s suit and tie to hers. The day after that, several of their friends also attend their exchange employment cross dressed. The local news interviews John. “Living as a woman these past few days - walking a mile in their shoes as they say - has started to make me realise just how much they have to put up with. We all need to get along together - men and women - if we’re going to get out of this mess we’re in right now. Oh, and for any of the boys who’d like to join our protest can I just say that the feel of stockings on freshly shaven legs is absolutely delicious!”.

National newspapers report negatively on the news from Liverpool, but the public mood is with the protesters, and action spreads to other cities. Panicked, the Prime Minister announces overnight that anyone cross dressing will be charged under the Counter Terrorism Act. An arrest warrant is issued for John, but before it can be served he disappears into hiding.

November 2039

Walking a Mile in Their Shoes protest marches have spread to every major city in the UK. Thousands attend each demonstration - of all ages, genders, faiths and colours. The government collapses. Full time politicians are abolished and a new Citizen’s Assembly is created, founded on the principles of respect and empathy not just for our fellow men and women and those in between, but for all living things on the planet.

In Liverpool, Joanna Smith emerges from hiding. Recovered now from her surgeries, she quietly enrols as a trainee nurse at her local hospital.

THE END