One of the things that struck me about our local elections has been how good natured they have been.

Perhaps that's to do with the fact that we haven't had the party big-wigs and the media circus that accompanies them down here creating mayhem and leading passionate people to throw either eggs or punches.

There are issues here, schools, hospitals, farming, roads, poverty, but they have been discussed with a remarkable lack of frenzy.

Certainly that was the case at the election forums I went to. Everyone was able to put their points of views without any heckling. Candidates chatted together before the meetings as if they regarded one another as human beings, even if they didn't agree on policies.

Pity really. Perhaps we are just too well mannered, or repressed, in Bucks to let real emotion show when we disagree with someone.

This good natured approach of the candidates towards one continued in the counts. I was at the Wycombe where the result was declared at about 3am and when immediately afterwards, the winner Paul Goodman was surrounded by his opponents congratulating him.

It was all very civilised.

During the county council election campaign where the many candidates in opposing parties know each other really well, many people told me in the course of 'chats' they hoped 'so and so' wouldn't lose. They like one another and they know who is doing a good job and who is not. Sometimes their common sense can't help creeping in. For instance the demise of Michael Brand in Amersham was much regretted, though not for me to attribute.

Maybe I'm mad but I'll miss it

I am going to miss the election because I have met a lot of extraordinary people and they will now presumably disappear from my life. Some of them had funny ideas. Some of them didn't have a prayer and knew it. Some didn't have a prayer, but would have made good MPs. Some made me laugh, which is always a good thing, though not necessarily a sign of political competence. Some I didn't agree with.

But one party got me to change my vote...

Ed's note: Under dire threats and severe pressure, Margaret Smith refused to divulge which one and muttered darkly that she was fed up of elections and wanted to go birdwatching.