The unusual site banners are to bring attention to the fact that Labour activists in Bexley are manipulating Facebook Groups with fictional posters. They deny it, threaten police action for ‘harassing’ a fictitious character and then demonstrate their willingness to impersonate by creating a false Administrator account in my name. The banner on display is chosen randomly from a selection of three, with a fourth bearing the familiar Bexley Council is Bonkers logo.
The May Council meeting is like no other; purely ceremonial to supposedly elect a Mayor. Pure theatre
which attracts a large audience of friends and families of those involved.
It comes complete with an ’Order of Service’ which names the not yet elected Mayor and her
Deputy and spoiling the intended illusion even more, the outgoing Mayor’s,
Chaplain named Councillors Lisa-Jane Moore and Frazer Brooks in her opening
prayers. Lisa’s appointment is not a surprise as Bexley is going through a phase
of only electing female Conservatives but Frazer rather more so. He has always
appeared to me as being well outside the favoured band of young men who had
caught the Baroness’s eye. The optimist in me says that it may indicate a new
beginning now that she has thankfully gone.
Councillor Moore before and after the election of Mayor.
The speeches were not especially revealing. The nomination came from Councillor O’Hare who
said that Councillor Moore was born and lived in South Africa (East
London) and represented her country as a swimmer. She worked in journalism both
there and in the real London from 1997 at the age of 22 where she was involved in some high profile
communications roles, notably the millennium bug fiasco nearly 30 years ago.
Lisa was seconded by Councillor Brooks who thanked Lisa for her support during the uncomfortably close election count
just over three weeks ago. He thought she was the most suitable candidate for
Mayor and hoped that the Labour Group would agree and vote for her. He was
presumably disappointed when they abstained.
After a short break to swap her blue dress for the red robes, the new Mayor
then formally appointed Frazer Brooks as her Deputy and her husband Justin as
Consort. Frazer chose his mother Allison as his Consort.
Labour Leader Stefano Borella congratulated Lisa on her election and thanked the
outgoing Mayor Christine Catterall and her escort “The Duke of Danson”. (The
recently elected Councillor Dave Curtois.)
He joked about not voting in favour of the new Mayor’s appointment but said she
would be supported by the Labour Group nad implied she should count herself
honoured that his Councillors did not vote against the Mayor as they have sometimes in the past.
The retiring Mayor and her Consort Dave Curtois were presented with commemorative badges.
Signing in for duty.
Following the appointment of the Mayor, Councillor David Leaf was formally appointed Council Leader. Councillors Stefano Borella and Sean Brackstone were confirmed as Leaders of the Labour Party and Reform UK respectively and David Leaf thanked both of them for their help and co-operation in arranging representation at various Committees.