Anyone who knows me will confirm that I have a mouth like a sewer. In my defence, as a council flat kid, from a single parent family, I actually learnt to swear like a trooper as a scholarship child at public school.
Like everyone else, the pandemic has meant having to come to terms with the challenges that the ‘new norm’ poses, and our increased use of technology to communicate, has meant that we all need to be more cautious about our behaviour. Every now and again I express my views in ways that I appreciate may cause offence to others, for which I absolutely apologise.
At this week’s SSDC full council meeting we were debating one of the most important issues we are likely to be facing for many years to come, the future of local government in Somerset. This is something that, contrary to what others may wish to believe, I take very seriously indeed. However, being away from home and having interrupted a holiday to partake in the meeting, one of many this week, I was forced to attend whilst in the company of others. Observant members noticed that at times during the meeting I was seen to be speaking to a third party. Quite true, as I was being pestered with questions whilst trying to pay attention to the proceedings. Finally, exasperated by the continual interruption I responded to one question in frustration, saying ‘I don’t give a f**k’. As soon became apparent by the shocked faces of some of my fellow councillors, the sound had not been muted, and the comment was widely broadcast.
This is of course unacceptable but, in my defence, I was most certainly not referring to the content of the meeting. Whilst one cannot take back something that has been said or done, and whilst I have no desire to cause offence, I would argue that over my many years as a councillor I have seen other elected members behave equally badly, showing open contempt towards the public they represent, frequently sitting in full view whilst doing crosswords and sudoku, dozing off, accessing their private text messages and emails, as well as eating and drinking.
Anyone viewing the Youtube video of SSDC’s meeting will observe that I was fully engaged, more so I would suggest that some others who whilst being present in body failed to actively participate, challenge and question the important issues we were faced with. Yes, I have a foul mouth, but I pay my taxes on time, have never abused anyone, threatened physical violence or been accused of dodgy business deals. Those who are eager to throw stones need to take heed of the proverb relating to glass houses.
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