This year is election year so take that big yawn off your face.

Now look, I was the same as you in 1995, moaning away about what a shower our Councillors are (couldn’t organise a p**s ** in a brewery etc.), but I did put my head above the parapet and I did get elected and I did make a difference.

To be honest, a number are just ‘voting fodder’, but some actually achieve something.

There are 15 seats available for grabs on the Town Council and 6 on the Borough Council, so why not stop complaining that this or that doesn’t get done and actually get involved.

Regular readers know that I am a great believer in democracy, so I do not mind if you support Mr. Blair's lot, Mr. Kennedy, Iain and Duncan's lot or one of the other groups - just stop moaning and get involved. If you want to know what is involved, just get in touch - I will talk to anyone!!

Talking about democracy, I think some ‘heel digging in’ is going to be required as the new Borough ‘cabinet’ system leaves a lot to be desired and the Lib-dem working party processes on the Town Council beggar belief. I heard the other day, that a meeting was called at 24 hours notice and when you work for a living and do it as a volunteer (unpaid), what chance do you have?

Of course, both systems are designed to speed up the decision making process, but putting power into the hands of the few, is not the right way to my mind.

Well, that’s it for now, over the next three months I will be making suggestions on how I would put the world to rights with all the extra money the Town Council is bound to raise and the County/Borough Councils will say they haven’t got as central government have kindly devolved functions to local authorities (as they requested), but omitted to allow the funding to follow. Something to do with spending more, not raising Income Tax (but everything else!!) and paying for a war that really has not got anything to do with us.

I will leave you with this thought:

Iraq has not ventured outside its borders for ten years, but Mr. Bush says something must be done if they do.
Israel occupies Palestine land, but Mr. Bush says that is OK.

Have I missed something?