Mayoral row - your say (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Mayoral row - your say

10:52am Friday 19th February 2010 in

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Sir.-As two former mayors of the borough we would like to put on record how deeply concerned we are over the recent events for the appointment of next year’s borough mayor.

Your readers must rightly be wondering “what on earth is going on?”

The simple fact is that the role of mayor has always gone to the most senior councillor and we’re pleased that it does.

Whenever we used to speak with mayors from other areas we would always be very proud of this fact, very proud that we hadn’t become mayor by popularity or because the biggest political party of the day wanted it to be like that.

To become mayor of our wonderful borough is a privilege and a real honour and it’s a time that no-one forgets.

We should also remember that the process starts a year before when all councillors agree to you becoming deputy mayor prior to being made mayor by full council.

However, what we saw at last Thursday’s council meeting was a move away from this and a move towards the mayor being selected by the ruling party, a move that we very much regret.

It is not too late for this to be resolved and we would urge all concerned to do so and to hold true to our proud tradition.–Councillors George Hood and Gerry Traynor

Sir.–The selection of our next first citizen should be above party politics and Thursday night’s departure from voting for the mayoralty based on length of service represents a sorry day for Basingstoke and Deane.

Whatever one’s political differences with Councillor Heath (and I personally have quite a few) one cannot help but feel a degree of sadness when a person finds 29 former Conservative colleagues casting their votes against him.–Cllr John Shaw, Liberal Democrat group leader, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Sir.–The Councillor Heath situation in its farcical way is at least bringing interest to local politics in Basingstoke.

Unfortunately, he thinks the louder he shouts, the more he will achieve.

I’m sure he has his good points and at times has completed good work for some people in Basingstoke (as have all local councillors up and down the country), but it seems that he is prone to believing his own publicity and becoming addicted to the controversy he attracts.

Is this really the type of person that should be representing our borough?

The Conservative Party does not come out well in this situation, as for years they turned a blind eye to his behaviour.

The Labour group equally do not come out of this well. As a political group steeped in a tradition of protection of working people, they give the impression of backing him, whilst ignoring Cllr Heath’s past.

Without doubt Cllr Heath is not a proper person to represent this borough. He has pending complaints about his behaviour and was found not to have treated others with respect. If he had a sense of what is right for the borough he would not accept the office of mayor.

Perhaps a compromise would be for Cllr Heath to accept a delay in his elevation to mayor, and could take this time to reflect on his behaviour.–John Hetherington, Halliday Close, Basingstoke

Sir.–My husband Councillor John Eddie was Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane. The position of mayor has always been considered as non-political, the parties always respected that the senior councillor would be the mayor. It was never a party political thing.

The mayoralty was always seen as being above politics, and something that members supported without question. It seems to me that the Conservative councillors who have acted so irresponsibly, and it would appear out of spite, are in real danger of damaging the office of mayor.

It’s time for some careful reflection.

This is about more than Cllr Heath, this is about the office of the mayor for our borough. It is a great privilege to hold that office, and the people who have held it have always respected the role regardless of their politics. And politics shouldn’t be involved in choosing who the mayor is. It has always been done on the length of service the person has given.

There have been some interesting characters as mayor over the years, and they wouldn’t always get popular support, but that isn’t the point – they were the senior councillor in their year.

What the Tories have done is wrong.–Mrs Jeanette Eddie, Former Mayoress, St Patrick’s Road, South Ham, Basingstoke

Sir.–I would like to offer my support to Phil Heath and Christine.

It is diabolical what so-called fellow councillors are trying to do by not supporting him to be mayor in May. It is small-minded and vindictive.

One minute the council’s chief executive Tony Curtis is quoting correct procedures and then seeking to change things.

Mr Curtis and Cllr Ruffell have completely misjudged the feelings of the people (the voters).

I sincerely hope they come to their senses. -Mrs Helen Parry, Oakridge Towers, Basingstoke