25 May (Part 1) - Bexley has a new Mayor. Conservative of course
I hope this does not come as too much of a shock, but I found last night’s
Council meeting quite enjoyable and maybe even fun. It had nothing to do with
the bar laid on for favoured guests because obviously I am not one of those.
All three Conservative Parliamentary candidates were there together with Edward Baxter
(Erith & Thamesmead) looking a little like a fish out of water in such
distinguished company. James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and David Evennett, Conservative Whip.
David Evennett provided me with
the evening’s highlight. He came up to me, didn’t ask who I was, shook me warmly
by the hand, said a few kind words over a minute or two before another shake of
the hand and returning to his seat.
What a nice man he seemed to be. I hadn’t dreamed that Mr. Evennett might be a BiB reader.
Good job there has in eight years never been a reason to be critical of David.
Just imagine if senior Conservative Councillors had displayed the same courtesies
and common sense when BiB was first launched. Instead they ran
tittle-tattling
to the police, horrified at the thought of being criticised, thereby ensuring
the continuation of BiB.
Not very clever are they?
David Evennett is obviously not to be lumped in with Teresa O’Neill and Co.
Someone else who probably shouldn’t be lumped in with Teresa O’Neill is
Councillor James Hunt (Conservative, East Wickham) although to say so will probably do his Council career no good at all.
Opening mouth before engaging brain I directed a tasteless joke at James Hunt. He called me a “cheeky sod” but made it clear he was in no way
offended. Another Conservative who knows how to keep in the public’s good books.
Not a great deal was said about Eileen Pallen’s time as Mayor, the mood was less
celebratory than usual in view of the appalling events in Manchester.
Councillor Stefano Borella (Labour, North End) proposed his ward colleague
Brenda Langstead for Mayor but
as already discussed, the Great
Dictator has no interest at all in democracy so he was given short shrift.
Councillor Philip Read (Conservative, Northumberland Heath) proposed his ward
colleague Peter Reader as Mayor which was exactly what Teresa O’Neill had ruled in advance.
His recommendation was a slightly risqué speech which dwelt on Councillor Reader’s time in
the navy, “girl in every port” etc., and his “chat up techniques” for which Councillor Read was able to
offer improvement advice. In seconding the proposal, Councillor Alex Sawyer
continued with the theme referring to the canvassing of ladies in nightdresses.
It was all good fun and one must hope that Councillor Reader thought so too.
Councillor Reader has been a Councillor in Bexley, on and off, since 1968
and the Tories voted for him unanimously.
Councillor Pallen
was given an award for a year of service and kept her departure speech commendably short.
Bexley Council’s Press Release.