However messy government processes are, council leaders depriving Norfolk residents of jobs, homes, and better delivered council services in a fit of pique is a bizarre over reaction by any standards.
That moment of contrived drama could cost Norfolk dearly.
Cllr Mason Billig seems to think insulting a cabinet minister she has never met or spoken to is acceptable.
She didn’t much like the reaction of the public she insulted with Steakgate.
How does she think ministers will respond to her insults?
Would you rush to do business with somebody who accuses you of bullying and calls you a bastard in the council chamber?
It’s hardly unusual for governments to offer deals to councils with incentives and rewards for policies and schemes.
That kind of thing happens in everyday life all the time.
It’s an obscene stretch to turn routine ways of doing business with government into an excuse to justify throwing away millions and the once-in-a-generation chance to overhaul councils.
Those exaggerated insults smack of bad judgement and bad tempered knee jerk instead of what is best for Norfolk.
Cllr Mason Billig can delay the start of many millions being invested in Norfolk but it would be foolish to do so.
We have fought for many years with successive governments to get our fair share of the national investment cake to realise the potential in our local economy.
I won’t pretend, and never have, that it’s all gone as smoothly as I would like.
To get hung up on whataboutery and spats loses sight of the prize of growth and prosperity for Norfolk, by Norfolk.
That’s the devolution offer alongside Suffolk, whose response has been more measured.
Local government reorganisation is a decision of the government, not the councils.
Only the government makes those decisions, not Cllr Mason Billig.
Beware those whose newly expressed opposition to improving the way councils work is rooted in self interest above the greater good.
We’ve a real opportunity to finally deal with all those things people rightly blame on ‘the council’ by changing the way councils work to make them fit for the lives we lead now and in the future.
What was right more than 50 years ago when they were last reorganised, before the days of the internet and mobile phones, is clunky, outdated, and well beyond its sell-by date.
I can confidently say that now there are elections in May, Labour will be committing to embracing devolution to get the recognition, influence, and investment Norfolk deserves.
Labour will commit to reorganising councils to become more accountable, better value for money, less remote, and less confusing.
We’ll be supporting unitary councils that are best for residents, not best for any political party or politicians self interest.
Insulting ministers in council chambers or the public in social media posts, or over obsessing on whatever government is making frustrating decisions, won’t create a single job, build any new homes, or deliver better council services.
Dialogue, not drama, will bring far better results for the people of Norfolk.
This may well be one of Cllr Mason Billig’s last decisions and will most certainly be one of her worst among many contenders.
Steve Morphew is leader of the Labour group on Norfolk County Council