And the winner is ...

Stand by to be surprised and delighted by Boston's very own Oscar ceremony.
On Monday evening a piece of history will be made when Boston Borough Council selects the lucky person who will be the borough's Mayor from the merry month of May.
Of all the important issues that the Boston Bypass Independents needed to address a year ago, high on the list was the issue of the mayoralty.
Apparently, the concept that the post should be occupied by the councillor with the longest record of service was no longer good enough, and deemed "undemocratic" and something that we, the voters, didn't want, so the ruling group decided to bypass it - so that's why they're so named!
Now, says a report to Monday's meeting, all members of the council can "have the opportunity to put themselves forward to be elected as Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year" ... and with apparently no need to persuade their fellows of their suitability.
So, on Monday, will someone self-nominate - whilst waffling on about the honour of service and a burning desire to represent the town - and the rest of the BBI's sheepish majority endorse that individual? Or will we see a token alternative or two, perhaps even a "spontaneous" nomination ... most likely just be for show?
In normal circumstances, it is hard to imagine anyone bumptious enough to put themselves forward as the new policy allows.
But this is the BBI ... the party of Bloomin' Bumptious Individuals.
We think we can guess Monday's outcome - but we never say never, and can always hope that a surprise might emerge.
To ensure no allegations that the result is a foregone conclusion, a report to the meeting says that councillors can have a secret ballot if at least a third of the members present are in favour.
But a secret ballot implies dissent, and as the BBI doesn't do dissent, expect lots of cheering, back slapping and unconfined joy at the outcome.
All in all the rules will do what they were designed to do when they were created last year - to guarantee a mayor from the BBI.
At a time when the air is fragrant with pancakes and daffodils, we can also smell the scent of the history books being cooked.
As the mayoral selection tradition comes to a close, the new holder of the title may also find that another tradition will disappear this year - the opening of the May Fair marked by a ride on the famous gallopers.
In common with its anti traditional stance, the BBI may well by then have ensured that there is no longer be a fair for the mayor to open.

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