Slough's local election results are in.  It's hard to fight an election, to put yourself up for judgement by thousands of voters.  It takes courage and hard work to win and I congratulate all the winning candidates.  But I would also like to say thank you to other candidates who put up a fair fight and didn't make it.  The handful  who produced leaflets full of lies about their opponents don't deserve thanks but I am grateful to those who offered a choice to the voter, setting out what they are for and what they want the council to achieve. They deserve our thanks.

Because their effort meant democracy could work. Voters were offered a choice.  Countries like North Korea have elections, just as we do, but they don't have democracy.  The voters don't get choice. Of course for candidates choice equals stress.  They have talked to voters  and have an idea of how much support is coming  their way.  But this is not an exact science  every party gets some surprises at the count, and that is stressful, whether you are trying out for the first time in a seat your party does not expect to win, but you do or you are a councillor turfed out after years of service.

My extra stress this week is moving office. Moving is reckoned to be the third most stressfull life event (although losing or winning an election is not on any list). Two weeks late thanks to telephone providers I am leaving the town centre for Chalvey and modern facilities, good parking, toilets that work and a meeting hall. I hope that by being based in an area which needs regeneration, I can contribute to improving the environment in the neighbourhood as well as in the office for people who come for help.