The present Leader of East Devon District Council, when he was returned (unopposed) at the last district election, coined the above phrase, vowing to introduce greater democracy and transparency into local government.

So what has happened since?

Well, among countless other examples of secrecy and undemocratic procedures, the Council helped set up a business forum to promote the interests of their “customers” – no, not tax-payers but building developers. Then, after the Daily Telegraph’s exposure of “Councillor-for-hire”, Graham Brown, head of this Business Forum, the Council’s Chief Officer gagged the scrutiny committtee whose task it should have been to investigate the forum’s influence on planning.

Soon, too, on 23 July, Full Council is to vote on a motion to curb public speaking at planning meetings.

It is to be hoped that there will be a recorded vote at this meeting so that electors may know exactly which councillors voted to restrict the public’s fundamental right to freedom of speech.