What's Richard III got to do with Wiltshire's fire service?

A WEEK or so ago you'd have found me in central London, enthralled by Martin Freeman’s blackly comic portrayal of Richard III.
In an attempt to make the plot more accessible to audiences who have no idea about the dynastic machinations of the 15th century but would quite like to see that nice man from Sherlock or The Hobbit, this production is set in the imagined aftermath of a more recent ‘winter of discontent’, in the late 1970s.
Instead of medieval castles the action takes place in a conference room, with the ruthlessly ambitious Duke of Buckingham played as a spin doctor.
It isn’t subtle. Explosions, stranglings and drownings keep things moving swiftly on, and the stage is awash with gore.
Amidst it all, Freeman is a coolly calculating little monster, mentally inspecting the pros and cons of every horror he is about to commit and concluding with a nonchalant shrug and a conspiratorial nod to the audience as if to say: “Oh well, it’s got to be done.”
Which of course is true, if you accept his initial premise that the acquisition and retention of power by any means is all that matters.
I think we know where this is going, don’t we?
I commend this production to anyone concerned that firefighters will lose their jobs (though not, in these relatively enlightened times, their heads) if Wiltshire Council’s boardroom warriors have their way.
Having deposed one brave chairman who refused to toe the party line, and dumped a public consultation document by our fire chief and his Dorset oppo, who want to combine forces, they are now, belatedly, asking us what we think.
No guarantee that they’ll take any notice, but it’s a start.
The fire chiefs say a merger will save millions, with a minimum of frontline bloodletting. They’ve drawn up a business case that shows how it’ll work.
Dorset’s voters, who are also being consulted, are being shown the details. For reasons best known to our councillors, we’re not.
Anyway, that’s Scenario 3 in the consultation.
You get there after wading through Scenarios 1 and 2, both of which save less money, give Wiltshire Council (‘critical decisions taken locally’) more to meddle in, and mean fewer boots on the ground, fewer fire stations, and slower response times.
In an emergency, I know which option I’d prefer.
If you’re in any doubt, do what the council bosses do and ask yourself: What’s in it for me?
Lives could depend on the outcome of this consultation. You can take part online at www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/strengtheningourfrs or pick up a leaflet at your library or council offices.