Graham , Still off topic but you raise some important points. I would like to see an additional qualification introduced for a candidacy to any elected office, that would be a requirement for a wouldbe candidate of all or no party to have passed an examination administered by the civil service with the purpose of ensuring that all candidates had the intellectual equipment to deal with the complex issues of national and local government, and that they could distinguish right from wrong. I was involved in local government many years ago as a county and subsequently borough councillor. My experience of the lack of integrity and intellect of many councillors of all parties led me to the conclusion above. I would also like to see the following: The number of councillors reduced by 2/3s and their remumeration doubled; the post becoming full time with a legal right to return to their previous employment, when ceasing to hold elected office. I firmly believe that what is needed at all levels of governance is an effective elected opposition, and the practise of alternating holding of committee chairs and vice chairs when political control changes should be outlawed. Those who practised this in the former West Riding of Yorkshire were known as the "shake hand gang", and the practise led directly to the corruption and planning scandals of the 1970s.
