On the Monday after my by-election win, I presented myself at Plough Lane, the headquarters of Herefordshire Council. I was greeted by John Coleman from Democratic Services, who was to supervise my entry into this new world. He had the air of a top-class butler. He addressed me as Councillor Engel; I was to call him John.
John and his team sat me down, put me at ease and, Councillor Engel-ing me the while, gave me glimpses of my immediate future. Having turned up in midterm, I was a novelty. The Conservative cabinet members, whose candidate I had seen off handsomely, all shook my hand; I had private audiences with the leader and chief executive; at my first full council meeting I was given a non-partisan welcoming round of applause. With one trivial exception, everyone was charming.
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