There are many things that can be said about the recent general election, but the last election is remarkable because of the amount of abuse handed out to candidates of all parties.

The hot political topic of the moment is public sector pay scales. After years of public sector pay restraint – capped at no more than 1% increase since 2010 – there is an understandable weariness about this whole issue.

There are two significant local issues that are occupying most of my time. Two issues that have been well reported, but are important to our district and our community: redundancies at both Brinton Carpets and Victoria Carpets; the issue of local health provision.

The latest announcement of cuts at Victoria Carpets brings yet more uncertainty to staff locally. Victoria’s announcement follows closely on the heels of Brinton’s similar announcement a couple of weeks ago.

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From time to time, when writing this column, there is far more to talk about than there is space to write. This is one of those weeks.

The starting gun has been fired and the Prime Minister has announced a general election. To be held on June the 8th, it fits in with a tight timetable that gets this out of the way before the European Commission reports back on its position on our Article 50 negotiating position.

The process of bringing the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust back to full working order has recently undergone another major step. New Chief Executive Michelle MacKay has started, completing the appointment of the crucial chairman / CEO double act.

The recent atrocities in Westminster serve to remind us that we are vulnerable to the attacks of not just organised terrorists, but also those of lone wolf self styled terrorists.