The Return of the Luddites?

I was brought up with respect for straight forward economics. You could not honestly have what you couldn't afford in the poor Liverpool of my childhood. Today and tomorrow many of the key workers in this County have decided to take industrial action. They want more money. But they have failed to spot the obvious flaw - we cannot afford the pay increase that is being demanded. It is no good them bleating about the large increases already awarded to senior personnel. Senior players make senior contributions - that is why they are recompensed. If we failed to buy the highest calibre of leadership we would end up with incompetence or anarchy. And even if all the Chief Executives in England were deprived of their justifed annual rises it wouldn't come anywhere near meeting Unison's unreasonable demands. What saddens me is the short-sightedness of those who have chosen to withdraw their labour. IBM does not suffer from strikes. Indeed it may be that the future direction of employment with SouthWest One will have to take account of such risks. Perhaps binding contracts are necessary. Maybe confidentiality agreements should be standard. Loose talk is costly. And industrial action is neither acceptable nor sensible. That is why I am at my desk as usual today. You will not catch me warming my hands on a picket line brazier.

Hot wheels

Mark Cavendish proved again that he is the fastest
sprinter in the world by dominating his rivals in the final 50 metres of yesterday's eighth stage of the 2008 Tour de France. 24-year-old Mike exploded out of the pack and crossed the finish line nearly two bicycle lengths ahead of his Team Columbia teammate Gerald Ciolek of Germany to record his second stage win of this year's Tour. Frenchman Jimmy Casper finished third. "It was really fast," Cavendish said after the race. "I was too far back at the last curve and too far back when the sprint started. So I began the sprint early and built up a lot of speed. I'm so fast that I can make up ground."

I know exactly how you felt Mark....and I was with you all the way in spirit. A great job well done. My sentiments exactly. And may I recommend my favourite product: Assos - a suggestive name, maybe, but at less than a tenner a tub it really does the business and it is so simple to apply (ask my PA)

Trimmed with Ermine

It was such a positive pleasure to meet Paul Hanningfield and his colleagues. Paul can trace his ancestors back a full five hundred years in that part of the County of Essex. Hanningfield is the very district from which he took his baronial title when he was elevated to the peerage. Lord Hanningfield, however, displays no airs and graces these days. He is the leader of a very large county council with challenges which resonate here too. Essex may once have presented an image of poorly-constructed Ford cars and young ladies more given to frolic than academic fancy. But this is a huge county of varieties. The task for Essex county council is to spend public money wisely. And that's why Paul and his far-sighted colleagues came to talk to us. SouthWest One may be born here in Taunton but we are happy to welcome all customers - especially when led by such a splendid member of the House of Lords! It is easy, when you meet him, to understand why

he was recommended for an honour. His untiring work in the community surely clinched it. Local Government can be a hard and anonymous calling. Perhaps you can think of other such unsung heroes who deserve recognition. Thankfully, these days, anyone can be nominated , even me.

My Hero

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown may choose to liken himself to the dour and unsmiling Heathcliffe. Perhaps we all seek Solace in another identity? Mine is - as you would expect - loyal to the corporate cause. I am a committed romantic both at heart and in reality. My choice for hero, doppelganger and role model must go to the incomparable Mr D'Arcy. He, the true gentleman as well as the courageous champion. He, the model man most discerning women would rather be with and breed from. Colin Firth is popularly known as IBM -Ideal Breeding Material. The character he portrayed is strong, kind, generous and fair. In all my work it is my business to make big dreams become true. Surely this cruel world can allow me a small personal dream of my own. It would be Prejudice not to. And it is not a matter of Pride.

Getting Geared Up for the Big One

I was always a proud Sturmey-Archer sort of chap. I backed British. But as the race game becomes ever tougher (and when the Tour de France makes it down to Somerset again you will be able to see exactly what I am talking about) the job of keeping everything well oiled is becoming still more complex. I know. I ride. And I read the learned publications with special care too. The International Journal of Urology has just issued a treatise about the bodily risks of riding. Surgeon Vinod Nargund, from St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, said that cycling restricts blood flow and generates excessive heat. This could result in men having difficulty with erections. More than 60% of male cyclists experience genital numbness, according to Mr Nargund. He is, I am sure, not far off the mark. But perhaps fellow occupants of the racing saddle would like to know my secret - chamois cream. This splendid substance lubricates parts that might otherwise uncomfortably chafe. I invite all comers to apply it liberally and I raise my glass to its inventor. Bottoms up!

Justice

My firm favourite for the Mens' final, Roger Federer, took his punishment like a man last night. If there was humiliation in his heart it showed not a jot on his handsome visage. He could see the justice of his own defeat at the hands of a player who outclassed him on the day. And I'm sure he could see the true worth of the technology that confirmed every challenged ball. IBM technology, no less. The best in the world. The best for Somerset. Because Somerset deserves the best. Justice is sometimes displayed as blind. But those with the in-sight know more. Justice will vindicate all the work we have done to improve people's lives and generate real new economic opportunities. Justice will also be meted out to our political detractors and to any snipers in the media careless enough to transgress the criminal law. This is not a threat, but a just promise.

Keeping it in the family

Many happy returns to Tom - 68 today, but still capable of drawing the crowds and causing its female element to remove personal items of clothing and then fling them at him by the basket-load. Like all we Jones's Tom has admirable qualities and unquestionable abilities. He is also unremittingly honest. Would there to be a Standards Board for popular musicians Tom's reputation would never be besmirched. More of us should emulate his skills. I confess to sometimes rehearsing those magnificent hip swings of his in my own wardrobe mirror (fully clothed of course). Though I am always aware of the close proximity, and consequent danger, of my faithful Corby trouser press. Tonight, however, I may throw a little caution to the wind and "take my hat off" on the winding road home to Wivvy.