Up until Brexit I regarded Britain as the home of democracy.

Emerging countries looked to us for guidance in forming their own democratic states.  Even counties as developed as Italy still struggle to find a way to reach consensus rather than ongoing internal conflict.

It took the UK hundreds of years to develop true democracy where the will of the majority prevails and life continues and for that I am truly grateful.  Many British political parties have been elected with less than 40 per cent of the total vote.

There was Labour's Tony Blair with 35 per cent 2005 and the Tories' David Cameron with 36 per cent in 2010.

The UK did not grind to a halt while we argued over their win or the perceived inaccuracies of their respective manifestos.

We rolled up our sleeves and got on with life knowing the alternative to accepting the election result would be the same self-destructive anarchy other less developed countries suffer.

It now looks like those emerging countries may overtake us a lot sooner than seemed possible.

Not simply because they are making massive strides towards democracy but because they are likely to pass us by as we go backwards.

So it is with great enthusiasm that I welcome Tatton MP Esther McVey back home to represent the views of her constituents.

Behind the Loose Women TV persona she’s a feisty lady and I was disappointed (but not surprised) when her voice was somewhat muted by her rapid rise to the Tory front bench.

I must admit I thought she may have sold her soul for career advancement.

Seems I was wrong and her resignation from Mrs May’s cabinet will be a huge plus for Tatton where she can now focus her considerable talents.

If there is one thing Tatton didn’t need it was another MP prancing around in fancy dress promoting their own career.

The first item on Ms McVey’s agenda must be to get Cheshire East Council into special measures before it self-destructs.

The Tatton MP told me directly that the Conservative government was monitoring CEC closely and could act if there was no improvement.

Since which we have had more comings and goings than a Trump presidency.

As Blondie said:

The tide is high but I’m holding on

You’re gonna be my Number One

Over to you Esther...

ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 HOW HAPPY WERE YOU WITH OUR SERVICE?

I was due to have an operation in a well known healthcare facility last Monday.

On the Friday before I received a phone call to inform me the procedure would take place at 2pm.

On Saturday morning I received a letter telling me my operation would occur at 10 am.

I was somewhat bewildered.

I called the appropriate number to resolve the issue and was informed by a recorded message that no one was available to take my call until Monday, which was clearly too late.

After trying several different telephone extensions I finally got a young lady who also told me no one was available to take my call until Monday.

I explained my dilemma emphasising the need to get it resolved before Monday but she was clearly pre programmed to repeat the same message over and over again.

Absolutely nothing would budge her off the official script.

I spent a very anxious two days before I finally spoke with a (REAL) receptionist early Monday morning who told me a staff member had been available all weekend who could have answered my query immediately had I been put though to the right department.

I’ve just received a request from the chief executive to complete a survey asking me for my patient feedback.

What do you think I should say?

You can email Vic at vicbarlow@icloud.com or text 07590 560012.

By Guardian columnist Vic Barlow