Let's get one thing straight – there has been no referendum or independent poll on the future of local government in Somerset. The recent exercise carried out by Somerset's district councils was deeply flawed and biased, with a string of irregularities – including one-sided literature which directed residents to a highly-defamatory spoof website.

It was no surprise to see the poll widely condemned, including by the Government, or that 75% of the population chose not to take any part in it.