What did you expect?

Class has been a pernicious instrument of conflict for a very large number of years. Its influence touches us all from the old Chester Road terminus all the way through to the station at Blake Street and beyond.

I don’t think we can blame the Tories for class differences but they are, shall we say less energised by the prospect of seeing it off. Or orf.

We were treated, at the count to a graphic illustration of the survival of the baser instincts.

The Tories had an ok night. Not glorious, by any means in the context of the national tide which was flowing but all their candidates got in and they seemed pleased.

The traditional victory speech was handled by Councillor Howard. He is an unattractive little man and he gave us an unattractive little speech. He did thankfully express his gratitude to the Returning Officer but then chose to make triumphalist remarks about Mr Pocock and his capacity for destroying the vote.

People as naturally pompous as councillors understand the conventions of titles and they understand the conventions of post election remarks. Enjoying a completely expected victory too much is regarded as ‘bad form’ and neglecting to observe an academic’s hard won title is likewise - shall we say ‘outre’.

Liberal Democrat lady was next up and gave us the traditional Lib Dem line on not wishing to make a political speech. Fair enough.

It was Rob’s turn.

And he was so good. He is a cartoonists dream is Rob. Tall man, strong featured and always but always good humoured. Absolutely and totally unputdownable.

He breezed through the formalities, then turned his attention on the Tories. He chose to mark the event by generously and courteously paying tribute to the long serving .retiring Tory Councillor for Vesey Ward, David Roy.

David Roy has not been our favourite politician. We have, in fact been in conflict with David Roy over large number of issues over a large number of years. But, he has served the town and the city over a prolonged period of office. Not to refer to his service at the first count which did not feature his name was a crass error and Rob rectified it.

Beautifully.

It was deft, it was charming. It was devastating. Alan Shearer would have put it differently……

It was different class.



Nightwatchman