To Lourdes, south-west France, where today reporters from around the
world are gathering outside one of the famous ‘healing shrines’ to witness
what is either a splendid new idea to assist our economic recovery or a last, desperate bid, at doing something, anything, to turn the UK financial
“Myself and Nicky here are both religious men.” Prime Minister ‘Diddy’ David Cameron intoned seriously, while beside him the Deputy PM tried to look stalwart and capable. “With limited sympathy for those bound by the ‘rational’ or ‘scientifically proven’.”
Raising his voice to be heard above a clamour of journalists, Dave went on: “As I’ve said, the UK economy is definitely ‘healing’
and has been ever since I came to power. But thanks to the previous government’s screw ups and other things outside my
control, we’ve lost our triple-A credit rating and are about to enter a triple-dip. So me and Cleggy here thought it was time to
speed the recovery up a bit.”
“To that end,” Cameron confirmed, gesturing at the nearby statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, “Later today we will be using the
traditional ‘divine touch’ method preferred by those with enormous power to ‘lay hands’ on the economy. Being here in this
wonderful, ancient market town, I’m confident we can put everything right, in terms of
our nation’s GDP and debt and so forth.”
Dave concluded by wagging his finger, saying: “I don’t want to hear naysayers going on about ‘evidence’ or politicians being
delusional. If we try hard enough this will definitely work, I’m sure of it. If you don’t believe me, look at homeopathy.”
Mr Cameron then led Cleggy and a skulking George Osborne into the Chateau Fort de Lourdes where they began facilitation of
the healing process, talking of ‘the spiritual dimension of recovery’ and how their personal faith would underpin these efforts.
Although their trip into the French countryside has been billed as a vital diplomatic mission,
this visit was derided in some quarters as “clasping at pseudo-mystical straws” and “just an excuse for the men running the
country to go on an early holiday”. But others contend the time is right for this initiative, as Economic Psychologist Topper Spugbug
(left) told Home Defence:
“Mr Cameron has already confirmed there is little chance he will listen to the recommendations of the IMF, Bank of England, all the
leading Nobel laureate economists and many of his own advisors, to halt the current austerity course.” Mr. Spugbug told us
outside a branch of Waitrose. “If the Chancellor, a man with little understanding of such matters, continues to remove demand from
the system, cut public spending to the bone, and leave growth flatlining so the banks aren’t willing to lend, another course needs to
be found, pretty bloody quick.”
“Dave has been saying that the British economy is ‘healing’ for years, and today’s a good opportunity to give a practical
demonstration of that. Of course, the curative properties of this energy channelling he proposes could all be nonsense,
but it can’t hurt can it? Apart from admitting they were wrong in the first place and changing course immediately, this
government has tried everything else.”
Somewhere deep in the castle Cameron and Clegg then appeared once more; now clad in spotless white robes. Both
men proceeded to close their eyes and hum tunelessly in what was apparently an attempt to summon a divine power
to the fore.
A group of aides then wheeled in the British economy, which was held in an ornate, covered casket, while nearby a group of cancer sufferers rolled their eyes and tutted. Cameron and Clegg began to channel the restorative properties of Lourdes by chanting a traditional free market prayer, adding: “I am Clegg, the great physician” or “I am
Diddy, the one who heals you”.
The economy was subsequently removed from storage and placed onto a raised stone plinth. Dave and Nick then followed the
Biblical precedent set by Jesus, removing all rings and watches to place their hands on the ailing institution. A few witnesses
report seeing the economy begin to pulsate as these two men cried out in sonorous voices: “Begone recession! Begone
contraction! Begone stagflation! Begone unemployment! Begone economic trauma! May growth return to our land! I say it loud
and I say it true: Economy - you are well once more!”
Later, once the economy had been securely locked away for their voyage back across the channel, and the politicians were
enjoying a vigorous rub-down, a sweaty Nick Clegg told HDUK:
“I’m pretty sure that worked, I definitely felt something. It was as if all the damage inflicted on Britain since the eighties had suddenly been repealed, even as me and Dave were chanting.”
“Call me crazy if you like.” Cleggy went on. “But I think the spirit world will now intervene and regenerate our patient, meaning normal economic operation can be resumed in the UK, pretty much immediately.”
On their triumphant return to London, Dave and Nick were subsequently carried through the city streets, atop the
shoulders of bankers, stockbrokers and hedge fund managers who all cried out: “It’s healed! It’s completely healed!”
But the following morning Britain woke to news of a further downturn in manufacturing and a massive leap in food prices.
This combined with further credit rating downgrades to weaken the pound and cause the stock market to crash.
Following these dramatic events, the British economy suffered a relapse and, at 3.51pm, went into seizure. The economy
could not be revived at the scene, despite the efforts of several paramedics with defibrillators, and it was pronounced
dead on arrival at Lewisham hospital later that day. May our economy rest in peace.
