Thank heavens that in these politically correct times we have people like unreconstructed, bearded socialist John Tanner to give it to ‘em straight.

Never one to trouble himself about conformity, the old school Labour city and county councillor pitched up at last week’s Oxfordshire Business Awards flushed by a recent description of him as “statesman-like”, following a letter he wrote on MPs’ expenses.

However, the effect was rather lost at the swanky black-tie dinner as he waltzed on stage to present an award in casual jacket and open-neck shirt.

“Where’s your dicky-bow,” screeched the evening’s compere, TV presenter and businesswoman Adrienne Lawler.

Fair play to Mr Tanner, he was the only one all night to answer back to the formidable Ms Lawler: “You show me your dicky bow, and I will show you mine.”

Her riposte will go unrecorded, as this is a family newspaper.

The Tory Wantage MP Ed Vaizey – you know, the one with a penchant for antique furniture in his constituency country pile – was another to fall foul of Ms Lawler’s rapier wit.

Summoned on stage to present the keynote award, the Oxfordshire Business of the Year, he was asked “How’s work going?” He was left to squirm in front of the 500-strong audience of Oxfordshire’s captains of industry as Ms Lawler ripped in over the expenses scandal.

Undeterred, he presented the award – before reminding the audience to make sure they all got a receipt for their bar bill.

Picture the scene: It’s a balmy summer’s night, the immaculate lawns of the University Parks glimmer in the lowering Sunday evening sun while couples walk hand-in-hand, stopping only for a few stolen kisses and then... the serenity is broken by the sound of the air turning blue at the sight of over-officious traffic wardens peppering cars with tickets on the side of Parks Road. At gone 7pm on a Sunday night. No, seriously.

Have these people – who we assume work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council – no shame? Or perhaps a home to go to?

Got a new motor, Dave? It’s reassuring to know these tough economic times are not affecting us all. Parked in the exclusive, walled, County Hall car park in New Road, Oxford, was what suspiciously appeared to be a spanking new, giant Jaguar with personalised numberplate ‘DMR’, which we are told belongs to deputy county council leader and – the aptly-titled cabinet member for the economy – David Robertson. It’s not often The Insider’s eyes are turned, but it did have wonderful bodywork. The car, not Mr Robertson.

Is it only The Insider that uses a fountain pen and writing paper these days? Our desperation at the advance of technology is well-known, but things reached a new low when we learned one of the last bastions of tradition had finally subscribed to the odd, yet growing, obsession of letting everyone who cares know about everyday banalities.

Yes, remarkably, you can now follow Oxford University on Twitter by visiting twitter.com/uniofoxford What is the world coming to?