The
final noteworthy item of the Full Council meeting a week ago was the tribute
paid to Councillor June Slaughter (Conservative, Sidcup) who has completed
50
continuous years serving the borough.
I find her to be amazing in many ways, she is six months older than I am and
manages to show up at Council meetings three evening in a row when I struggle to
find the energy to attend just the occasional one.
She can be a good friend when needed and will always stop to pass the time
of day if our paths should cross. On two occasions when Bexley tried very hard
to get me into trouble she was willing to debunk their lies in writing which was
both very reassuring and useful. Unlike some of her colleagues at the time she
absolutely refused to stand by in the knowledge that there was some serious
malfeasance going on. I know that made her own life difficult but there are few people
as upstanding as Councillor June Slaughter. Long may she feel able to continue.
Labour Leader Stefano Borella shares my view and said he was “delighted” to
speak in praise of Councillor Slaughter, he “values her as a friend” and like me
knows that she “is amazing as one of the longest serving Councillors in London”.
(Beaten only by a Hounslow Councillor who has served for 53 years.)
He is happy to see her recognised as an Alderman although he would have
preferred Freeman of the Borough. She had won the Lamorbey West ward when
Stefano was only six months old and “served on the Housing Committee when we had Council houses”.
When Stefano was first elected in 2010 it was June who was at the front of the
short queue to welcome him to the Council. He also spoke well of his recollections of
June’s late Councillor husband Mike. He has fond memories of him. Stefano presented June
with white flowers decorated with a single red rose. (If I might say so pretty
much all of the foregoing could equally be applied to Stefano, always ready to say
hello and stand up against malpractice. - but he will be going some to make his 50 years.)
Council Leader Teresa O’Neill was next to her feet and grateful that the Labour
Group was fully supportive of June’s achievement. She should be “extremely
proud. The role of Councillor has changed dramatically and Councillor Slaughter
has moved with and adapted to all those changes. She is one of the hardest
working Councillors in this Chamber, and certaintly deserves recognition. She is
a beacon to others and I wish her many many more years”.
Labour Councillor Chris Ball made a similar tribute. “June is always completely
prepared for meetings and dedicated to detail. June gets involved in everything
and has an incredible capacity to keep on top of all of those things.
Preparedness, Service and Caring, unfailingly lovely isnְ’t she? Always genuine.”
“Fun is another thing, a very good sense of humour. On a personal note I took
nine months not to get a mortgage until June arrived as a locum solicitor. I was in my home three weeks later.
In Council she says things which may not be popular but are right. I am lucky to
have her as a friend and we are lucky to have her in the Council Chamber.”
I don’t think I am qualified to adequately summarise Councillor Slaughter’s gracious response and it
is probably right that her words should be preserved for longer than the webcast archive allows.
Introduction by Mayor Sue Gower.