Like most people I am regularly horrified by the way this country is run both nationally and locally, and after years of hurling my slippers at the TV or shouting impotently at newspapers I finally dallied with the notion of standing in the local elections myself.

But my ignorance of local government was brought home to me when I learned how their business is conducted.

One would think the apparatus of local government would be constructed in such a way as to attract the brightest and the best.

But as it turns out the brightest and best could never be councillors because council business is conducted during normal working hours.

This is important because you aren't paid a wage as a councillor. You are given an allowance based on how many meetings you attend.

In other words the only people who can realistically stand are the retired, unemployed or low paid.

Can't business be done in the evenings like it is in English councils? I would gladly give up that time if it meant I could speak for the people of Monmouth against nonsense like the LDP.

But if you have a full time job you are essentially barred from local government in Wales. Is this really democracy?

When you vote in a general election you know the candidates are serious because they will do the job full time and get paid.

By contrast, at the upcoming local elections we will be served a choice of candidates whose main qualification is that they are free for a 10am or 2pm meeting.

Perhaps more flexible working hours would add more candidates into the mix and improve the quality of local government.

Speaking of Welsh government, I couldn't help but notice Nick Ramsay has had an exciting day out at HMS Monmouth. Nice work if you can get it.

Would it be impolite to ask if Nick and his entourage received expenses for making that trip?

Does he think this is a valuable use of his time as an AM? And what benefit does he think his visit brought to the people of Monmouth?

Gareth Dunn

(Monmouth)