As it refers to Northern Ireland, it may put the many people off reading it. Before the election I took an analysis on the way in which any of the candidates were presenting themselves on the leaflets that they put through the doors. I also found it interesting that there was very little personal approach. As many who have read this blog will know, I have long been of the opinion that the old-time politicians, brought up in an atmosphere of politics, and thoroughly versed in them, have been replaced by people with little experience other than that of a university training.

There were seven candidates, but only one had had experience of serving in Westminster, and very few of the others had had any experience in local government. I was always under the impression that people who were proposing to have a career in politics, mostly started in local government. One contestant’s brochure contained nothing but vitriolic sniping at the other candidates, raising matters out of context and in one case, five years old. The public, I believe, are more astute than to be swayed by such a barrage of random topics, while at the same time giving no impression of having any experience, or any warrantable proposals for when in office. Four issued two leaflets per house, some of which were backed by influential politicians, but only one had a CV that would sway one to give them some consideration. In one instance, one candidate had a name that at first sight, was similar to a well-known local politician, and I am prepared to bet that in the polling booth there was more than one X given on the wrong assumption.

On the whole, I came away feeling worried that if this was the sort of choice open to one, it was unsurprising that we had got into the mess we are today. In any large concern, while there are competent people at the top, it is the quality of the people at the bottom ranks who make the greatest difference to the outcome of any project. When you consider the amount of money the government’s handling, the incredible decisions that are demanded of them, some of which is life-and-death, having naive, half educated, inexperienced people on a very steep learning curve, is a prescription for disaster.

The incumbent, who had been in the job for nine years, had a massive majority which was unsurprising, because of the respect in which they are held, and the level of work that they do. There was one other aspect to this election. A party that once ruled for years on end, had decided to link themselves with the Tories. The public voted with its feet, and it was obvious that the decision had been ill thought out. In Northern Ireland, with our strange tribal atmosphere, when a large part of one particular political approach is reduced due to a split vote, those who adhered to the philosophies of that party suddenly become apathetic as a result of frustration.

I don’t know about your area, but here, in North Down, we have been issued with a little green box, roughly 10 inches, by 10 inches, by 10 inches, in which to put the scrapings of the plates after a meal, or the waste from food preparation, such items as bones, fish, and the sort of scraps that we used to put in the bin under the sink. One is expected to deposit the contents of the box at regular intervals into the green garden waste bin. Who ever thought this idea up has not given it the amount of attention required for something which was going to have to be used by people under varying circumstances, and in different places. I am finding that I am not the only one who objects to having received this piece of equipment for a number of reasons. For a start, the item itself is hideous, of a colour that would never meld in any normal kitchen, is difficult to find a position which makes its use simple and easy. They haven’t taken into account the relative differences between a house of a single elderly bachelor or widower, with that of an average household, or indeed, a large family.

There is one vital fact that they have ignored, the green garden bin is often filled to the top on the day that it is empted, especially in the Spring, with the result that the waste will be on the top, and will mount during the 2 or 3 weeks before it is next empted, with the smell and health hazard that will be inevitable. Just for one moment, imagine that you are emptying a minuscule amount of waste at a time, the rate of build-up will be negligible, while the number of trips to the little green box, wherever it is placed, plus the trips to the green bin per day will vary according to the family, but in any case I believe that the saving in time by not using the green box, more than out-ways the level of methane that these small scraps will generate

Finally, the expense of providing these boxes in the current financial climate seems to me to be ill advised. Another case of Globwarm fanaticism overcoming common sense.