Dry Accounting

Local councils in the north of England have been calculating the cost of the Government's efficiency savings in flood preparation. So far, the bill has reached two hundred and fifty million, although in fairness to the Bullingdons it must be said that the damage is mainly to inessentials like roads, bridges, public rights of way and drainage systems. Thanks to the consideration shown by this winter's floods in submerging merely the Northern Workhouse, golf courses and proposed sites for skyscraping eyesores appear, by and large, to have been miraculously spared. Nevertheless, instead of giving thanks that London, Sussex and Kent were not inconvenienced, local authorities in Cumbria, Calderdale, Northumberland and other forgettable places are complaining about the cost to themselves and even agitating for more money. Is there no community spirit north of wherever? Have they not heard of the global headwinds precipitated by the Heathen Chinee and their heinous managed economy? Has news of the need for tax cuts not penetrated, even now?