WHEN Christchurch and East Dorset councils merged their staffing structures and services to save money a couple of years ago, plenty of people reckoned these were the first steps on the road to a full union at some stage.

These fears have been aired again recently after the chief executive David McIntosh and senior officers decided not to attend the mayor-making lunch in Christchurch. Today, Mr McIntosh dismisses suggestions that he is anti- mayoralty, pro-merger or somehow unconcerned about the ancient borough’s heritage and traditions.

He rightly points out that it is enshrined the two councils remain sovereign and independent.

However, in the long term it may not be that simple. Many councils are looking at financial problems well into the future and for some, merger may be the only way out. How long before the Bournemouth/Poole question is back on the table? As long as it takes for someone to think the unthinkable.