THE clan is still important to Lala Yusuf – even after forty years bereft of his village, without the affiliation he would be lost.

It’s a proxy; the village is an image in his mind, unchanged from his youth and in reality inaccessible but the clan affiliation are tangible still.

The young don’t appreciate the ‘kitcheri’ (kidgeree) they are creating by not paying attention to difference, Lala thinks.

Whilst we are all the same we are not. There is an ancient affiliation to the clan that transcends generations. Two generations in what do they understand?

The clan becomes the next most important vehicle to having a vote in order to engage in the election process.

Come election time – everyone becomes important. Lala Yusuf cherished the ‘oldness’ of the early days in the UK. It is as if the ghosts of his past are resurrected as he goes door to door. Many of his friends may have gone but the houses are still there...

Elections allow Lala Yusuf to be mobile, to talk to people he otherwise wouldn’t at a much deeper level.

It brings out old rivalries and reminds him of scores to settle and legitimises the opening of old grievances, he hasn’t forgotten when clan Y voted for one councillor (known as the stunned one on account of his rabbit caught in the headlight persona) and left clan Z stranded.

He can negotiate again – it makes Lala a player even for a short while and he is as big a player as the next guy. He can vent his frustration – he has a chance to link what he understands from the BBC to the conspiracy theories he has - weaving his fantasies with strands of reality but the election gives his space.

It allows him to talk and to be listened to. It allows him to gather information, to tease out affiliations and track where power in the community lies.

He is a man now full of vigour and he has the self respect he once had before his lost his job and his sons moved out.

And yes in his deepest mind .. . Lala is back in the village circa 1972 when the government offered to build a road to the village and everyone was consulted. Where he enjoyed the buzz as the pro and cons were negotiated by his village head father.