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Row brews over mayoral selection
TEST Valley's Liberal Democrats are putting pressure on the Conservative-controlled authority to review how borough mayors are selected.
But borough and Conservative leader, Ian Carr, says the move is unnecessary and the Lib-Dems only have themselves to blame for not having one of the party's members as a mayor for the last 10 years.
Explaining why he believed a motion going before next Wednesday's full council seeking changes to the mayoral selection procedure was "unnecessary", Mr Carr said: "I agreed last year to talk to the Lib-Dems about a new procedure. Councillor Cooper was meant to contact me to discuss the matter. He didn't so we didn't. The reason there has not been any Lib-Dem mayors since Councillor Bailey is that, in most years, they never put a name forward when requested.
"The odd time that they have put a name forward, it has been added to the list and voted on.
"With their lack of enthusiasm for the mayoralty and the disrespect shown by that group to the position in the past, it is little wonder that that they have not been selected."
In May, 2005, when Broughton and Stockbridge ward member, Peter Boulton, was inducted mayor, some Lib-Dems refused to stand in his presence. This sparked an outcry among the Conservatives.
Lib-Dem party leader, Len Gates, and former borough mayor, Rod Bailey, have tabled the review motion.
The two Andover-based councillors want changes made to the process, which has left the borough without a Lib-Dem mayor since 1997-8 when Mr Bailey held the post.
Mayoral candidates are selected at informal meetings behind closed doors and their names brought forward for approval at the council's AGM each May.
Calling for an agreed procedure for nominating candidates for the post, Councillor Gates said: "The motion is not about the quality of mayors past, present, or to come does suggest the current procedures are unsatisfactory. It merely notes that, unlike many other local authorities, we do not have an established procedure. At a time when politicians locally and nationally are held in low esteem, it is essential that our procedures and decisions are seen to be open, transparent and accountable. I hope the proposal will be accepted by full council."
The Lib-Dems' motion says: "Council affirms that the role of mayor as first citizen of the borough is a non-political post and that, in selecting the mayor, it will seek to select the best candidate for the post. Council further notes that, unlike many other authorities, Test Valley does not have an agreed procedure for nomination of candidates for the post of mayor. Council therefore calls upon the executive to investigate the procedure for nomination and election of mayor with a review to introducing a formal procedure for the mayoral election in 2009."
9:33am Friday 25th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Rousseau, Test Valley on 3:23pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Everyone is generally aware of the utility of political unions formed by the Conservatives on the borough council which render their opinions permanent. I have little hope that the Liberal Democrats will penetrate these opinions at the next full council meeting. Mr Gates and Mr Bailey seem oblivious to this!
Do they not realise that Mr Carr's will is the general will of the council? I admire their protest, however just one vote against their motion will be enough to destroy it.
As I gather the mayoral position is choosen behind closed doors, making it impossible to have an unbiased outcome.
The general public seem indifferent to this position, so why make a fuss?
Everyone is generally aware of the utility of political unions formed by the Conservatives on the borough council which render their opinions permanent. I have little hope that the Liberal Democrats will penetrate these opinions at the next full council meeting. Mr Gates and Mr Bailey seem oblivious to this!
Do they not realise that Mr Carr's will is the general will of the council? I admire their protest, however just one vote against their motion will be enough to destroy it.
As I gather the mayoral position is choosen behind closed doors, making it impossible to have an unbiased outcome.
The general public seem indifferent to this position, so why make a fuss?
Posted by: Jules, Romsey constituency on 11:54am Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Rousseau[/bold] wrote:
Everyone is generally aware of the utility of political unions formed by the Conservatives on the borough council which render their opinions permanent. I have little hope that the Liberal Democrats will penetrate these opinions at the next full council meeting. Mr Gates and Mr Bailey seem oblivious to this! Do they not realise that Mr Carr's will is the general will of the council? I admire their protest, however just one vote against their motion will be enough to destroy it. As I gather the mayoral position is choosen behind closed doors, making it impossible to have an unbiased outcome. The general public seem indifferent to this position, so why make a fuss?[/quote] Yes, why make a fuss. You are the only one that seems to do such a thing. Maybe you need to get a life or go on holiday.
Rousseau wrote:
Everyone is generally aware of the utility of political unions formed by the Conservatives on the borough council which render their opinions permanent. I have little hope that the Liberal Democrats will penetrate these opinions at the next full council meeting. Mr Gates and Mr Bailey seem oblivious to this! Do they not realise that Mr Carr's will is the general will of the council? I admire their protest, however just one vote against their motion will be enough to destroy it. As I gather the mayoral position is choosen behind closed doors, making it impossible to have an unbiased outcome. The general public seem indifferent to this position, so why make a fuss?
Yes, why make a fuss. You are the only one that seems to do such a thing. Maybe you need to get a life or go on holiday.
Posted by: Rousseau, Test Valley on 11:25pm Sun 4 May 08
Jules - I thought that freedom of speech is the fruit of our country? The more truth is felt, the more individuals like yourself will try to combat it.
Jules - I thought that freedom of speech is the fruit of our country? The more truth is felt, the more individuals like yourself will try to combat it.
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