The role of Mayor.

[Inspector Knacker]

I always liked the idea of awarding it on length of service regardless of Party or intelligence. A reward for services rendered in the days before the world went mad and poseurs, the gormless and tame lackeys were given the role as a trinket/reward for just being there or services rendered to the Party machine ... as opposed to their real masters, the electorate.
Who's up next ? Some political colossus, a champion of the people, a shining light?

[The Great Dictator]

   This years selection was part of a Skullduggerous deal.

   Is Skullduggerous a real word or did i just make it up ?

[Inspector Knacker]

Real or not, it suits the occasion perfectly.

[kevplumb]

Real or not, it suits the occasion perfectly.

yer got that one down brother

[mk1]

There is a long and honourable tradition of awarding the office of Mayor to the most disgusting and unworthy candidates. Local politics is entirely corrupt with The Office of Mayor openly and  routinely sold  in exchange for favours. One of Scarborough's 'most popular' Mayors was a Paedo mate of Jimmy Saville and got the office after being charged with sexual offences. Luckily (for Peter)  the paperwork was 'lost' by the Police.

https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/jaconelli-was-charged-in-70s-prosecutors-reveal-1-7477607



In 1966 for their sins the denizens of Rochdale got Cyril Smith who was interviewed by the police several times about child-abuse. Luckily (for Cyril) the paperwork was 'lost' by the Police.

https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/cyril-smith-mayor-of-rochdale-lancashire-arrives-at-euston-station-en-route-to-a-meetng-with-the-ministry-of-housing-1626573a


There are thousands & thousands  of less serious examples and by any comparison the latest bit of skulduggery by Shane is small beer. Not important and not worth bitching about.
Shane's moment will come when an Election is announced. He has to find a way to re-brand the IU as 'Farage UKIP Mk II' by pretending it was a decision reached after much  internal strife and soul-searching and not letting slip this was the plan right from the creation of the IU. Tennant is now one of the (formerly) derided 'Elite'  so will Shane make a bid for MP?      Watch this space......................

[Inspector Knacker]

I happen to think it's well worth 'bitching about'.

[mk1]

I happen to think it's well worth 'bitching about'.

Why? Its a done-deal and  nothing will change for 12 months. Drummond had actual power and he didn't kill us all  The Office is now ceremonial and has no powers attached.  There are much more serious problems rolling our way. Expect Farage to start paying a lot more attention to 'Artlepool.

[Inspector Knacker]

Oh I don't know, sometimes I find the most innocuous things can be interesting. 

[DRiddle]

In my view the position has been so tarnished by principally SAB (but there's also been others) It's now a position I imagine few people would actually want.

It's like Tony Blair winning philanthropist of the year and the liberty medal.

Imagine being the person who wins the year after.

SABs behaviour while in the chains of office was such a disgrace the position is forever stained.

As are the red robes I'm led to believe after Barclay suffered a 'leakage issue' after going for a wee last year.

At they very least they need to separate the ceremonial position from the chair of the council role.

Chairing a meeting in a skill and the last few years have demonstrated not everyone is cut out for it.

[mk1]

SABs behaviour while in the chains of office was such a disgrace the position is forever stained.

As are the red robes I'm led to believe after Barclay suffered a 'leakage issue' after going for a wee last year.

Its worse than you know. SAB damaged the Mayor's Chain so badly it had to be sent for specialist repair at considerable cost. The Council kept it quiet and it only came out when the repair firm were so pleased with the restoration they posted pics of all the work on their website. After this site  posted the pics the Council must have leaned of the repairers because they wiped it all-no problem for those Belt & Braces types who make hard copies of  everything!
I seem to remember there were some stubborn stains found on the Mayor's Robes as well. Perhaps a  dream-fantasy/role-play
enactment for Mr  Mayor went  a bit  further than he intended?

[mk1]

As are the red robes I'm led to believe after Barclay suffered a 'leakage issue' after going for a wee last year.

He spent long enough taking the pi*ss only fair that he should 'give' some as well!

[Inspector Knacker]

They weren't Mayors. One was a spoilt child wanting to dress up and play 'Mayors'. The outrageous thing was, the oaf was allowed to do it again. The rest just stuffed shirts, a motley collection of poor Uriah Heep tribute acts rewarded for cloying obedience and sycophancy to their masters voice. What talent or qualities they had for such a role no one has yet discovered.
We should try and restore the role of Mayor rather than destroy it because a motley crew of political illiterates played silly self serving games with the position.
Let's have an elected ceremonial mayor rather than a politician. No allowance, just basic expenses. Someone doing it out of civic pride not self flattery.