THERE is one immense, consoling thought that springs to mind whenever I reflect how some local politicians great and small ignore the everyday concerns of the ordinary people of Worcester.

And that is they will – sooner or later – be slung out on their ear, courtesy of the ballot box.

For example, I recently received a council circular asking for my views on the planned housing expansion in and around Worcester. I don’t doubt for one moment that new homes will always be required, but we should be very clear that this particular project has absolutely nothing to do with the city’s housing needs.

For the entire momentum is Government-driven. Britain’s population is ballooning, thanks to open-door immigration policies, so we are being told more green fields must disappear under concrete.

Never mind that there are a million vacant properties in this country – our rulers have spoken.

It’s the same on a local level. People in St John’s, Worcester, are sick to the back teeth with the vast social experiment that has been imposed upon them.

Did any local councillors ask the good folk of the village-in-the-city whether they wanted to live in the middle of a university campus? Don’t be silly, or course not.

Nothing must frustrate the grand design, certainly not trifling matters such as the rowdiness, litter and vandalism inflicted on the fast-diminishing and long-suffering working class population of St John’s.

Then there’s the ever-present problem of the riverbank between Diglis and South Quay.

A vast amount of public money is being spent on this area on a project that will initially involve the removal of 50 trees, some of which are admittedly diseased.

There will be some replanting, but bearing in mind this whole area is an anti-social behaviour blackspot and a no-go area after six in the evening, what is the point? Crucially, Worcester’s citizens have not been consulted about this.

In fact, many of the people I talk to would like the area left alone but better-policed.

Last month’s revelations that community support officers had not taken any punitive measures whatsoever against yobs surprised no one.

But all this goes straight over the heads of our elected leaders.

Not all, in fairness, but far too many to be good for local democracy. Thankfully, the answer will lie in our hands come the spring cull.