Is this what they mean by a cheesy political grin?
It's odd, being a politician. Being at ones constituents beck and call day in day out.
Someone phoned me at about 8.30pm on Wednesday night to arrange a meeting and when I suggested that as I was halfway through my dinner we could look at dates some other time, they said that as I was a councillor now I'd better get used to being at their disposal at all times.
Is this right? Is this even proper? Should your elected representatives be available for your wants and needs at all hours and on all days, or should you afford them some time off? At risk of sounding mercenary, would you be prepared to give up your entire life for £9000.- a year?
Even at the price we pay for the prime minister, approximately £150,000.+pa, shouldn't we expect to afford him a little time off? Do you work more efficiently, are you keener and more eager, if you've had a break from your job? Does your free-time give you the opportunity to recharge your batteries and allow you the time to clear your mind and reapproach tasks from a fresh perspective?
Local councillor in reflective mood tonight, as he often gets with too little sleep and the thoughts of local politics muddling through his mind.
One final question. In this day and age, is it more important to you that I do an excellent job, that I stretch every nerve and sinew, that I respond to your wants and mores and explore every possible way to alleviate your problems and find answers to your questions? Or do you care more whether I've shaved that morning?
I think that the job I do for you is more important.
posted by Arthur Graves at 1:15 AM
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