Gaius Incognitus, a candidate for the Quaestorship, sprinted up to the rostra and stood surveying the crowd and nodding at the cheers. He thrust his prominent chin forward and raised his hand for silence.

”Quirites,

I can hardly believe I am going to be saying this to you in an Election month, but facts are facts. I’ve just come from adding up the votes cast in the Curia and do you know what? Those damned Senatorial nit-wits have only gone and passed the measure proposed by Censor Quinctius Flaminius raising the taxes in the City by a staggering 25%!

”Go and look at the voting records if you don’t believe me. In fact, go and do that even if you do believe me, just so that you can note the names of those who voted against the interests of the People. Seven Provinces and masses of Allies and still these greedy vultures feel the need to tax Roman citizens living in Rome herself!

”Citizens, this goes to show that you need dedicated Plebeians like me in the Senate to safeguard your interests – not sham Plebeians like Hibernicus and Torquatus, who hide from the Plebs in their vast mansions. Vote for me, Quirites, and let’s shake up this corrupt dung heap of a Senate!”