Austerity, locality and unrepresentability

Hello Rodney.

Hello Charles, I haven’t seen you for ages.

Austerity dear boy, austerity.

Has it hit you hard Rodders?

Yes, old chap. I’ve turned the heating off. Really, Rodney? Your house is a bit draughty, must be uncomfortable for you.

Oh no, no Charles, not mine. The servant’s quarters.

On another matter, I bumped in to Rupert the other day, and he is really upset about the state of the roads, verges and general upkeep of the countryside.

He says that its going to rack and ruin. He is convinced the reason is because his representatives on the council don’t even live in the ward and one of them doesn’t even live in the Royal Borough. That’s a bit rich, isn’t Rodney?

You mean they don’t have to put up with the atrocious roads and scruffiness and probably don’t even drive through it on the way to council meetings...

Out of sight and out of mind and all that. Bit like the King thinking all buildings smell of new paint.

Exactly Charles, I don’t know what the country is coming to when even your locals aren’t local.

Talking of which, at least this one is open. Large G&T?

Why not Rodney, cheers and don’t forget the lemon.

RALPH JONES Beenhams Heath

Shurlock Row