Scientists in white lab coats,
Wheeled out, yet again,
To bale out politicians,
That bring austere pain.
Expert justification,
Old canard so sour,
Wielded, nation by nation,
Charlatan power.

Biden to Bolsanaro,
Johnson to Macron,
Will blame boffins in white coats,
When it all goes wrong.
Slowly our eyes glaze over,
Sombre songs we sing,
People flock onto beaches,
Bank holiday fling.

Governments dole out good news,
Their lips drip with cream,
Pass balls to academics,
To roll out bad dreams.
Leaders need these panjandrums,
To stand up on screen,
Throughout elite history,
Always been obscene.

Harry Rogers, In The Red Bedroom, 5th June 2021.