Johnny, I am sure you don't have any 'hidden agenda' where it comes to the Quaich nor do you really have much interest in the BMAA Politics, that is blatantly obvious as you have never put yourself up for Election.
I am all for you having a passing interest in the competency levels of the elected council members, and any potential nominees.
I know exactly what my Faults are & I also know what my positives are, suffice to say my competency levels are streets ahead of the complacency levels of those who have been elected over recent years.
The BMAA have been bothered by the fact that both myself & Rick were standing in the elections at the same time and they knew Rick & I together could change the dynamics somewhat, lets face it the BMAA didn't really want Rick either, but the BMAA only exists still because Rick did get elected & he was forceful enough to get changes made, the biggest mistake the membership made was to oust Rick in favour of Deepak ( Deepak received the highest recorded votes ever & yet the opinion from a fellow Council Member is " He has done nothing of any consequence " )
I am glad everyone is entitled to voice their opinions, I would put a lot more provenance on your remarks if you had ever stood for a position but alas you haven't so I am at least someone who stepped up to the plate instead of sitting back and opining on something you haven't had the volition to try yourself. I am sure you understand the saying " You have to be in it to win it "
There are always runners up in every competition, are you saying that anyone who thinks or knows they might be the 'underdog' shouldn't compete in anything just to give the other entrants an easy time.
I will publically say that whenever there were complete deadwood standing for election I would stand just to stop a shoehorning of the deadwood back into seats without a bunfight ;-) Conceitedly I know I would have been better than any of the current council members because I am an outspoken & controversial type of guy who can't sit in a cosy chair doing nothing ( a trait that every council member has now ) Even TV is losing his desire to do anything because he has 7 bits of deadwood around him.
Anyway, it is all ancient history now so let's focus on the future & the future is Bright.