Tom Paine, the great Norfolk revolutionary philosopher and writer must be spinning in his grave with frustration with the endless argy-bargy going on over local government reform.

The reorganisation of local government offers North West Norfolk a chance to take the initiative and become the first truly democratic self-governing community.

Instead of debating how the same old worthies should go on imposing their views on the rest of us as they have for years, we should be formulating a structure of governance that allows each one of us to have our say.

I am sure that if the shackles of convention are thrown off, many bright ideas of how this might work would be proposed.

One thought that comes to mind is to set up biannual referenda on the activities of the council to set the general policy.

Its detailed implementation would then be formulated by citizen juries chosen by lot to prevent them being dominated by the usual suspects. Councillors would then be delegates rather than representatives and responsible only for ensuring that the will of the people is enacted by the paid officials day-to-day.

The biggest problem is not to devise a modus operandi, but to overcome the inevitable resistance of the current councillors who would have to implement the new structure and give up the perks and power they have enjoyed for years.

Another great Norfolk icon – the voting turkey comes to mind. But Old Tom would know how to deal with them.

Edward Wheatley

Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton