In spite of ghostly appearances to the contrary, I rather admire local politicians.

My default position tends towards the supportive. After all, being a councillor at any level of local government is rarely, if ever, a journey over the rainbow to untold riches, nautch girls or boys and limitless subscriptions to Netflix. Most are in it to make a positive difference to their communities, albeit with a bit of ego cuddling expected in return.

Of course, criticism is also an inevitable part of the role. How a local pol handles challenging questions and comments is usually a measure of their commitment to the role.

In recent weeks, we've witnessed three quite distinct reactions to fairly bog standard incomings: two of which from yours truly.

Firstly, Generalissimo John Ward delivered a textbook, or may I say, a Gospel response to my account of the insufficient insurrection of some Babergh councillors to topple him as leader.

With humour, a certain level of candid self-analysis and the gently delivered factual correction or two (who would have thought the dithering Liberal Democrats would have been split on this matter, as on anything else?) Generalissimo came across as engaged and thoughtful. I think a post-council role as the next Reverend Taylor's Ghost is on the offing when I finally receive my divine P45.

By contrast, Bolter Alan Ferguson got it so wrong that he put me in mind of those Video Arts staff training packages where before showing how to do whatever skill is being explained properly, a scene is shot showing it done totally wrongly – with hilarious results.

Responding to my query as to whether he was part of the self-appointed delegation who wished to remonstrate with Generalissimo at his Polstead hacienda, as has been alleged, Bolter went the full Trumpian, red-button thermo-nuclear counter-attack.

Instead of a straightforward "no guv', it wasn't me, I was at home doing my hair that day – a light perm as it 'appens" slam dunk denial, Bolter attacked the editor of this fine news site of all sorts of nefarious claims, including – ludicrously, that he was in fact me!

Worse, Bolter demanded that if the editor wasn't me, then he should jolly well give him my address (I hope you're still following this).

Now, should Bolter get elected in May, as he hopes, it might not be the best tactic to propose doorstepping any constituents who might be less than happy with his performance or positions. Unless, of course, he's bolting from the Conservative whip again, perhaps to join the Democratic Unionist Party?

Although us ghosts aren't on the electoral register, should Bolter come a-canvassing at chez Taylor, we'll be sure to chat with him. If he's aggressive, I fear the consequences will haunt him forever (geddit?).

My third example, is the most interesting – not least because of the rather worrying trajectory of the soul concerned.

An ex-Royal Navy officer, Hadleigh mayor, Frank 'Maritime' Minns was one of the few sane and articulate Hadleigh Town Councillors during the fraught public opinionating on the temporary barriers placed last summer along the High Street to ensure social distancing.

Maritime Minns offered timely and reasoned explanations in the no-man's land that was the middling way in that evidence-free and scabrous debate. Since becoming mayor on a promise the he'd bring the community and council together, Maritime, has taken a strong community lead on many topics, not least the surge in COVID19 before Christmas and setting up of a vaccine station at the health centre. In all of his communications, he has been the conscience of the community and a very fine one at that.

Yet, a Mr. Hyde is emerging adjacent to this jovial, old school Dr. Jekyll. As mayor, Maritime seems to treat other town councillors not as equals, but as rather unruly ratings – or rather he administers the lash on a frequent basis to some of them.

Instead of chairing the Council's Zoom meetings as Hadleigh's answer to the Wellerman sea shanty, leading all in the democratic equivalent of harmonious round of communal singing, horrified observers have seen how he abruptly talks over two councillors in particular, too frequently for this ghost's liking.

Whatever standing orders allow this or not, it's a poor advert for Maritime personally and the Town Council more generally. Doing a Jackie Weaver on Angela Gregg, now hopefully recovered from COVID19, and Andrew Knock, who just happen not to be members of the mayor's grouping, is not doing anyone any favours.

I do hope the mayor takes the proverbial leaf from Generalissimo's book and avoids 'Bolting' down his reputation.

*Despite false claims to the contrary - Rowland Taylor's column is written by a Hadleigh resident who is NOT employed by Nub News and is entirely their opinion.

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