Councillors for hire

I was shocked by the news that Councillors from the old parties are offering to advise developers on planning permission -- for a fee. Some of them may have problems at the ballot box in May (I’m sensing a huge opportunity for UKIP here). But I was also reminded of Betjeman’s poem “Executive”.

Many of us will remember the first verse:

“I am a young executive. No cuffs than mine are cleaner;

I have a slim-line briefcase and I drive the firm’s Cortina”.

Less well known, but more apposite, however, are the final two stanzas:

I do some mild developing. The sort of place I need

Is a quiet country market town that’s rather run to seed.

A luncheon and a drink or two, a little savoir faire --

I fix the Planning Officer, the Town Clerk and the Mayor.

And if some preservationist attempts to interfere,

A “dangerous structure” notice from the Borough Engineer

Will settle any buildings that are standing in our way --

The modern style, Sir, with respect, has really come to stay.