There is something about the dyed-in-the-wool left of centre which I have encountered a fair number of times. I am referring to their jawdropping respect for marxism. Although not communist themselves, their eyes moisten if you refer to a particular marxist - and you gain the clear feeling that their incredible respect conceals the fact that they actually admire X or Y for their valour and principle. Indeed, it almost as if they feel that their own political stance is dull and wretched in comparison to these paragons of virtue.
I have seen this - oh so many times - on TV but have also noted the phenomenon when face to face with the aforementioned lefties. (I even shared a flat with one such when I was a student!)
