John,
I don't know whether it is common to most politicians or whether we just have more than our fair share of oddballs here in South Wales, becuase another classic which springs to mind was when we had the opening of the Phase 2 extension to our local District General Hospital, the Chairman of the Health Board ended his speech by saying "and I do hope all these lovely new wards will be full by Christmas"
I can vouch for that one because my late father was at the ceremony, I was acting as his chauffeur and I actually heard the guy say it!
regards,
G
