Thanks Paul!

Councillor Paul Buchanan and I have not always seen eye to eye on every issue, but his words in the Council chamber today brought a lump to my throat. I was moved and flattered by his rich praise for the efforts I have made to effect change in Somerset. I was struck by the appreciation he showed and the respect for his colleagues. I only wish that the wider world had been afforded the chance to hear him speak. I will continue to regard him as a real friend. He will be sorely missed after June 4th.

No appointments please

Everyone needs a break. In my case it has been very well earned. So from June until September you can rule me right out of the Somerset County Council diary. No meetings, thank you very much. No earnest get-togethers around the water-cooler. No tittle-tattle with the girls. It isn't over, so they say, until the strong-boned lady ushers in an aria. Just expect to see a lot less of me in the weeks to come. And don't jump to conclusions.

I'm watching you

Every election leaflet is now being carefully scrutinised by my legal team to ensure that ALL candidates avoid ALL mention of ANY problems connected with SAP or SouthWest One. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Thanks Meic!

What a diligent man he is. And what a snappy dresser. Thanks to Meic Sullivan-Gould and his trusty txt I was able to learn all the latest from the non-event that took place this week at the Holiday Inn. So nice to see a firm hand in control of the Adjudication Panel. And so nice to know that the accused's loathsome tittle-tattle will now fail to be aired in public. Meic kept me informed throughout. He is well worth the huge fee that Somerset is paying him to look after my interests. I suggest he orders an extra pie.....and a necktie!

We have the answers

In these testing times it is important, nay vital, to be able to access correct information swiftly. That is why I have been driving forward the exciting new Somerset Google search engine. Somerset Google is now the first port of call for any facts that have eluded you about the real activities inside County Hall and local government in our area. We also carry crucial links to the police. So whatever your inquiry, anything from the risks of swine flu to one-off legal settlements to members of staff departing in unusual circumstances, just click the logo - you will not find anything of substance (because I have deliberately removed anything incriminating!)

Into Denial

Sometimes the most effective method of dealing with ugly rumour is to ignore it. Often the matter can be defused by personal denial. But the sure-fire, one-hundred per cent, copper-bottomed secret weapon to use in extremis is to call in the services of the wife. You don't even have to give her the whole story. In fact you don't even have to consult her at all. I have found that one letter signed, ostensibly, by my long suffering spouse renders many false criticisms completely harmless. I - sorry She - writes to the superior of whoever has called my activities into question. I - sorry She - will have a tear in the eye and a metaphorical quiver in the voice. How can they refuse the entreaties of an honest woman? Of course they can't. One missive sent from Mrs J's e-mail and the job's a good 'un ! Usually. (But not always)

Improving the Mind......

....travel is key and I thoroughly recommend the journey! The vibrancy I witnessed in Slovakia speaks eloquently of this nation's true ambitions. It may seem a far-away place, and some of the names (like the lovely Miss Bratislava, Katarina Prikazska - pictured on my trusty camera -with other Miss World contestants) may be hard to get one's tongue around, but I certainly gave it a try during down-time at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The conference was a huge success. The welcome from everyone was genuine and open-hearted. I will return to bring ideas which have now matured in Somerset to my wider world audience. The best is yet to come.