Here we go again, yawn

So the local government review for Norfolk rises from the ashes after m'learned friends burn yet more taxpayers' money.

With the failure of a high court challenge mounted by Suffolk councils, the way is clear for the process to continue and communities secretary John Denham has said he wants the final recommendations for Norfolk on his desk by Tuesday.

Two options are on the table - a unitary "super council" covering all of Norfolk and the so-called doughnut, with a unitary authority for Norwich and another for the rest of the county.

A decision isn't likely until New Year - by which time we'll be six months away from an election.

The government appears committed to trying to push these changes through. But a recent poll carried out by King's Lynn and West Norfolk council - which would be among those abolished - shows a large majority against the proposed changes.

And Daniel Cox, leader of Norfolk County Council, has now called for the whole thing to be scrapped - remember, the county council was originally in favour of a single unitary council.

Millions have already been poured into this, when you look at all the legal challenges, campaigns and consultations.

Meanwhile councils are cutting everything from old folks' day centres to theatres because of an expected spending squeeze.

Wouldn't it be sensible to wait until after the election and let a government with a mandate to govern - not to mention adding a third option of maintaining the status quo.

From where we're sitting, out in turnip land, this seems a classic example of how things go pear-shaped when out of touch central government decides it knows better than local communities and those they've elected.