THIS week I’m getting frustrated and mad with our council and the councillors.

For starters we have 36 councillors, which is far too many in my book, 12 would be enough.

I actually know quite a few of them and so also know their capabilities, although the majority do set off with the best of intentions. I have to say that includes what we politicos call ‘paper candidates’.

Don't let anyone kid you that people are queuing up to be councillors. Every April we are all scrabbling around to get candidates and it is really hard. That's why wives, friends etc get press ganged into standing as councillors.

Here in Rossendale we are straying into a period of ‘Yaa Boo’ politics. It always amazes me that when you sit with councillors at a private meeting, they are consensual and actually agree on more things than you would think. But the very minute the public or press are about away they go with their tea time politics or pompous letters and statements to the press.

In Rossendale we have a new administration, the way the two opposing teams are going on makes me cringe, (I don't include the Liberals purely on the grounds that two does not make a team in my book).

These are difficult times for the world, let alone Rossendale.

What we need from our political leaders is just that - leadership and decisive decision making, but above all else pragmatism and not being afraid to say “I have made a mistake and I will sort it out.”

I'm off on my jollies soon to France.

I love France but I'm not so keen on the French..

Mind you the same goes for the Welsh and Scottish - Does that make me a racist?Oh I feel a column coming on.