EVERY so often I like to take the FutureScope 3000 off the top of the cupboard, where it sits next to that juicer I bought that time, blow the dust off it, and take a look at what the days ahead have in store for us.
One day I will use it to find out what the lottery numbers will be – and hang the ethics. But for now, let me tell you what I discovered, and what you can expect during 2016.
JANUARY
Hundreds of thousands of families are hit by the Christmas Tree Tax, as, covered in needles like disgruntled hedgehogs, they take their denuded decorations to the shredder.
“Yeah, mate, £3,000 a household, £5,000 if you’re on benefits. Sure I mentioned it during the election campaign,” says George Osborne. “We put out an announcement at 5pm on the Friday before Christmas. Look, there it is, halfway down page 378, underneath the Membership of the Labour Party Tax.”
Hundreds of thousands of families are hit by the Christmas Tree Tax, as, covered in needles like disgruntled hedgehogs, they take their denuded decorations to the shredder.
“Yeah, mate, £3,000 a household, £5,000 if you’re on benefits. Sure I mentioned it during the election campaign,” says George Osborne. “We put out an announcement at 5pm on the Friday before Christmas. Look, there it is, halfway down page 378, underneath the Membership of the Labour Party Tax.”
FEBRUARY
EU legislation specifies that Valentine cards now constitute legal contracts. Cards carry messages like I’ll Be Your Sexy Valentine Up To And Including May 31, 2016, and Be My Valentine Until Trevor Is Back On The Market.
EU legislation specifies that Valentine cards now constitute legal contracts. Cards carry messages like I’ll Be Your Sexy Valentine Up To And Including May 31, 2016, and Be My Valentine Until Trevor Is Back On The Market.
MARCH
Hundreds of thousands march on Whitehall in protest at the Christmas Tree Tax. It is the lead item on the BBC Six O’Clock and Ten O’Clock News and Newsnight. They even mention it on The One Show. People on Twitter still complain that the “Bliar Broadcasting CorpoREDTORYation” has completely ignored the march.
Hundreds of thousands march on Whitehall in protest at the Christmas Tree Tax. It is the lead item on the BBC Six O’Clock and Ten O’Clock News and Newsnight. They even mention it on The One Show. People on Twitter still complain that the “Bliar Broadcasting CorpoREDTORYation” has completely ignored the march.
APRIL
Apple announces the iWheel, a “hoverboard” which the user steers using an iPhone. Everybody you hate announces their intention to buy one.
Apple announces the iWheel, a “hoverboard” which the user steers using an iPhone. Everybody you hate announces their intention to buy one.
MAY
Opponents and supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are equally delighted by the local, Scottish, and Welsh election results. “This just goes to show exactly what we have been saying about Corbyn,” say both opponents and supporters. “We’re still going to win the General Election,” says George Osborne.
Opponents and supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are equally delighted by the local, Scottish, and Welsh election results. “This just goes to show exactly what we have been saying about Corbyn,” say both opponents and supporters. “We’re still going to win the General Election,” says George Osborne.
JUNE
It is the Wettest June Since 2015. “Huh, and they say there’s global warming,” says an idiot who doesn’t understand basic science in a pub near you. Andy Murray wins the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon in a kagoule after hurricane force winds take the roof off Centre Court.
It is the Wettest June Since 2015. “Huh, and they say there’s global warming,” says an idiot who doesn’t understand basic science in a pub near you. Andy Murray wins the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon in a kagoule after hurricane force winds take the roof off Centre Court.
JULY
Britain sees the very first hoverboard wedding, at a pop-up weddingorium in Shoreditch. There is hardly a dry eye in the house as the bride trundles slowly up the aisle towards her rotating groom. The occasion is only marred by the intervention of a fanatic, who rushes to the front when the registrar asks if there be any lawful impediment, and screams that they aren’t hoverboards because they have wheels.
Britain sees the very first hoverboard wedding, at a pop-up weddingorium in Shoreditch. There is hardly a dry eye in the house as the bride trundles slowly up the aisle towards her rotating groom. The occasion is only marred by the intervention of a fanatic, who rushes to the front when the registrar asks if there be any lawful impediment, and screams that they aren’t hoverboards because they have wheels.
AUGUST
All of the goodwill and belief in British competence inspired by the hugely successful London Olympics is undone, as Team GB arrive in Rio without their kit and have to do the Olympics in their pants. On the bright side, Jessica Ennis-Hill becomes the first woman to win the heptathlon in successive games in a Snoopy vest.
All of the goodwill and belief in British competence inspired by the hugely successful London Olympics is undone, as Team GB arrive in Rio without their kit and have to do the Olympics in their pants. On the bright side, Jessica Ennis-Hill becomes the first woman to win the heptathlon in successive games in a Snoopy vest.
SEPTEMBER
Summer finally arrives just as the schools return for the new term. Secondary schools up and down the land issue compulsory cans of Lynx to boys aged between 13 and 17.
Summer finally arrives just as the schools return for the new term. Secondary schools up and down the land issue compulsory cans of Lynx to boys aged between 13 and 17.
OCTOBER
The Apple iWheel is withdrawn from sale after somebody answers the phone while trundling, and flips straight into a delegation of nuns, knocking them over like nine-pins. A spokesperson for Apple says: “How could we possibly have anticipated that the worst people in the world would buy this product? Anyway, look at the new Apple iDrone. Isn’t it shiny?”
The Apple iWheel is withdrawn from sale after somebody answers the phone while trundling, and flips straight into a delegation of nuns, knocking them over like nine-pins. A spokesperson for Apple says: “How could we possibly have anticipated that the worst people in the world would buy this product? Anyway, look at the new Apple iDrone. Isn’t it shiny?”
NOVEMBER
Donald Trump is elected the 45th President of the United States of America. “No, wait,” says President-elect Trump. “I was just kidding. Somebody bet me that I couldn’t run for president. I don’t want to be president. That’s why I said all those stupid things. Are you people insane?!” Jeremy Corbyn sends a message of sympathy.
Donald Trump is elected the 45th President of the United States of America. “No, wait,” says President-elect Trump. “I was just kidding. Somebody bet me that I couldn’t run for president. I don’t want to be president. That’s why I said all those stupid things. Are you people insane?!” Jeremy Corbyn sends a message of sympathy.
DECEMBER
Santas across the country collapse from heatstroke under the strain of their false beards, as Britain struggles through the Warmest December Since 2015. Luckily, Britain’s army of kind-hearted hipsters step in, spraying their beards white, and sit in grottos up and down the country drinking sweet sherry from screw-top jars, saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” ironically, and telling children that their Christmas lists are hilariously 2015.
Gary Bainbridge 