There is a cruel irony for local politicians. They are elected with their own political mandate, based on local pledges, yet too often they take the rap for their national counterparts, ousted in political protests for issues way beyond their control. See last week's local election results for details.

Then there is governance, improvement and intervention. For democratically elected members to be chastised for their performance and choices by a Government with no more of a mandate is galling for some. To be held to account by a Government that is responsible for the current Brexit chaos is bordering on the farcical. At least it would be, assuming service users are not suffering.