Cecil’s old boss Ernest Reeves during a time when the Council was much less the centre of party political argument.
Ken—Now a lot of local people over the years have gone into local politics. Have you ever been interested in that in any way?
Cecil—I’ve always said that politics is a dirty job. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.
Ken—Well you see, being so bold as you were with Ernie Reeves, and being great friends with David Goddard, who were both into the political scene. I’m only talking about local politics.
Cecil—No. You see there were no politics in the council in those days not even local politics Each man stood on his own flat feet.
Ken–Ah well of course that’s a different situation isn’t it?
Cecil—Yes. Now of course it’s all politics. That’s why I say—politics is a dirty business. We had a lady come to talk to us in the Rotary Club some time ago and I met her in the bar. I said, “are you the speaker for the day?” and she said, “Yes, that’s right” and I said “What are you going to talk about?” and she said, “Women in Politics.”
“Are you in politics?” I said.
“Oh yes,” she said.
I said, “Politics is a dirty business. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. You want to get out of that.” She wasn’t very pleased!
Ken—She didn’t think much of that comment.
Cecil—Now we’re suffering from it. Everything is political. Nothing is straight forward and honest any more.
Ken—It’s so cut-throat. Even if you think if something you feel is the correct action to take it is cut down by the other side. And they will convince you equally that what they say is right. And somebody must be wrong.
Cecil—Whatever is done is simply done for the party these days. That’s why everything has gone so wrong—not only in this country but elsewhere.
Ken—I tend to agree. I have always taken the view that, especially the governmental part of politics, one lot is as bad as the other.
Cecil—Look what happens here with the District Council and the County Council. It’s all political. And you’ll only get something done if the party that’s in power decides that’s what they will do because it will earn them a few votes. Otherwise they put up all sorts of spurious arguments.
Ken—So you’ve convinced me that you have never had any interest in politics and I think we won’t go into that.
Cecil—Not on your life. So far I’ve not been contaminated.