Poll lust

By the pronouncements emanating from the various council debating chambers, and elsewhere, it is becoming increasingly evident that our local politicians are beginning to suffer from poll lust.

This peculiar affliction is cyclical, with outbreaks occurring every three years coincident with local body elections, and has nothing to do with the full moon.

The symptoms are self-evident: a degree of preening, posturing and pronouncing in an exaggerated manner on anything and everything - from the behaviour of fellow councillors, to the "mistakes" of the past and the promises of the future.

These symptoms, and the rash of publicity-seeking that accompanies them, are remarkably consistent from election year to election year.

Naturally, there are some variations on a theme, and often these are contagious - picked up from some of the more vocally afflicted members of the community.

While a degree of empathy in local body politicians is to be admired, the wisdom of hog wrestling in such a flagrant manner is not dissimilar to knowingly breaking the quarantine on a ward full of avian flu victims, and hoping that votes for compassion will outnumber those for stupidity.

Councillors can be expected to be robust, indeed are encouraged to be rigorous, not just at this time of the year but throughout their terms in office. Unfortunately, when the triennial finishing line hoves into sight, the chambers begin to resemble the school common room at end of term.

That is some months away.

At this stage, a degree of sobriety in council matters should prevail rather than the stardust that so often accompanies poll lust.