Why are Bournemouth's mayors all Tories, asks councillor (From Bournemouth Echo)

Good luck Cllr Cooper. I have met the gentleman on a couple of occasions and he is very meticulous and determined to do things the right way, so hopefully he will serve the town well.

The role of mayor is pretty irrelevant to most residents. Whats more important is the way the current administration has stuck two fingers up to democratic and open debate on important decisions.
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We may have 54 councillors but all the decisions are made by Beesley and then rubber simply stamped by the the large tory majority on council.
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Such a little Tory town.

Is it Ron or Rod?
The photo says Ron but the story says Rod, or are they twin brothers.

History shows that it has not only been Tory mayors in Bournemouth. During WW2 (when Hitler let it be known that he would execute all town mayors if he invaded this country) Labour members of the council were elected as mayors of Bournemouth throughout the war!

Very Old Man wrote:
History shows that it has not only been Tory mayors in Bournemouth. During WW2 (when Hitler let it be known that he would execute all town mayors if he invaded this country) Labour members of the council were elected as mayors of Bournemouth throughout the war!

Does the Mayor of Bournemouth have to even be a Councillor?

Interesting about Hitler, extend that to most politicians Adolf - and today we might have had a deal!

Personally I think all Mayors should not be councillors but be people who have given something to the town either through work or voluntary service. I also think that local councillors should all be independant regardless of politcal view, and also be paid and to work for the good of the town, as appossed to what their political policy is.

With such a small opposition group in council chambers it makes sense to have a Tory mayor.

All I see is a lot of sour grapes coming from Cllr Levell. Its a shame she does not have that kind of passion regards things that actually matter. The same cannot be said about Cllr Gritt who has regularly made his opposition known. I am sure Cllr Gritt will make a fine mayor in the future.

I also disagree that the mayorship is a political post. I can only think of Cllr Goldbart(?) who did make political gestures whilst in the role which marred his mayorship. The current mayor Cllr Stanley-Watts, I would be surprised if he even knew what party he represented!

muscliffman wrote:

Very Old Man wrote:
History shows that it has not only been Tory mayors in Bournemouth. During WW2 (when Hitler let it be known that he would execute all town mayors if he invaded this country) Labour members of the council were elected as mayors of Bournemouth throughout the war!

Does the Mayor of Bournemouth have to even be a Councillor?

Interesting about Hitler, extend that to most politicians Adolf - and today we might have had a deal!

It certainly shows that the Tories of the time had no faith in the country's ability to prevent an invasion-and that they were cowards.

Done deal.And next year's mayor is too and that won't be a tory.Watch this space.Got to go, got grit in my eye.

why do they have to be cllrs in the first place

Richard Carr for mayor!

...or Eddie Mitchell!

Yep all in it together!

"He added that he looked forward to having outgoing Mayor Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts as his deputy, joking that he would delegate the task of running in the town’s inaugural marathon to the keen athlete." Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha ha ha....Tim Vine eat your heart out.

SophieRJ wrote:
Good luck Cllr Cooper. I have met the gentleman on a couple of occasions and he is very meticulous and determined to do things the right way, so hopefully he will serve the town well.

sue sour grapes ahh why do councillors be councillors think its what they get back I know when I wanted to get in touch with con lady member in bh5 she never replied 6 times
how much did she arrive with from dave wells ?

How does Independent councillor Sue Levell propose the mayor should be chosen "with regard for equality or diversity" then? Pick names out of a hat? Maybe the person who ticks the most boxes for 'equality and diversity' should become mayor.
Let's see now; Independent candidate (tick), woman (tick)...

Local residents voted for the councillors, who vote for the mayor. It sounds perfectly democratic to me.

"as appossed to what their political policy is"

there's a novel way of spelling the word pocket

"Why are Bournemouth's mayors all Tories?"

List of possible answers:

1 - Jobs for the boys.
2 - Same funny handshakes.
3 - Unemployable elsewhere - I mean - would you trust a Tory on a Tesco or Asda checkout with all that loose cash? Would you trust one of them in B&Q with all the back doors and bags of sand?
4 - The people of Bournemouth. It was they who voted them in, helped build their egos to the size of the Imax and then kept them there in the first place.
5 - The people of Bournemouth again. Especially the over-50's who are afraid of anything different happening.
6 - The big wooden doors at the Town Hall. We can't see through them or behind them so who knows what goes on?
7 - The job itself. It's pretty pointless in all honesty. What does a Mayor do anyway? Attends a few opening ceremonies, flits about in a posh car and then gets free parking. Gets people to raise a few quid for him for his charities. Hardly the type of job to attract a meaningful, life-experienced high-flyer who would make a positive and more worthwhile difference to the town.
8 - The chain. It's a known fact that Tories get off with having things hanging around their necks. Millstones, tangerines on string, medallions, pearl necklaces, Jim'll Fix-It badges - you name it. All around their necks, proudly displayed like a Chav's knuckle tattoo. The Mayor's chain is another "badge" for them.
9 - Cash - They've all got their snouts in the trough and if there's a cushy job going with questionable expenses, little to do on a daily basis, free car & a golden ticket to local dinners & the like, a Tory will sniff it out from a mile off like a pig would a truffle.

There you go, 9 reasons why the mayors in Bournemouth are all Tories. And they're all Labour's fault!

MrPitiful wrote:
"Why are Bournemouth's mayors all Tories?"

List of possible answers:

1 - Jobs for the boys.
2 - Same funny handshakes.
3 - Unemployable elsewhere - I mean - would you trust a Tory on a Tesco or Asda checkout with all that loose cash? Would you trust one of them in B&Q with all the back doors and bags of sand?
4 - The people of Bournemouth. It was they who voted them in, helped build their egos to the size of the Imax and then kept them there in the first place.
5 - The people of Bournemouth again. Especially the over-50's who are afraid of anything different happening.
6 - The big wooden doors at the Town Hall. We can't see through them or behind them so who knows what goes on?
7 - The job itself. It's pretty pointless in all honesty. What does a Mayor do anyway? Attends a few opening ceremonies, flits about in a posh car and then gets free parking. Gets people to raise a few quid for him for his charities. Hardly the type of job to attract a meaningful, life-experienced high-flyer who would make a positive and more worthwhile difference to the town.
8 - The chain. It's a known fact that Tories get off with having things hanging around their necks. Millstones, tangerines on string, medallions, pearl necklaces, Jim'll Fix-It badges - you name it. All around their necks, proudly displayed like a Chav's knuckle tattoo. The Mayor's chain is another "badge" for them.
9 - Cash - They've all got their snouts in the trough and if there's a cushy job going with questionable expenses, little to do on a daily basis, free car & a golden ticket to local dinners & the like, a Tory will sniff it out from a mile off like a pig would a truffle.

There you go, 9 reasons why the mayors in Bournemouth are all Tories. And they're all Labour's fault!

Mr. Pitiful, well named (your wife must have picked it).
This is Bournemouth!
A sack of spuds would get voted in if it wore a blue rosette.
Wake up!
Get real!
Or vote for Adolph's spawn!

Perhaps being Mayor will give Cllr Rod Cooper more stance in getting his Butterfly Farm set up in Bournemouth, or another Bicycle Track on another open space in Bournemouth.

I have known Cllr Cooper for his whole term in office, and worked with him in on local matters and matters of the town. I have found him to be set in is ways, and is reluctant to move away from such matters if he has made his mind up.

He probably will make a good Mayor. He likes being photographed, and will talk to most people.

Should Cllrs be Mayors, NO, it should be someone from the community.

MrPitiful wrote:
"Why are Bournemouth's mayors all Tories?" List of possible answers: 1 - Jobs for the boys. 2 - Same funny handshakes. 3 - Unemployable elsewhere - I mean - would you trust a Tory on a Tesco or Asda checkout with all that loose cash? Would you trust one of them in B&Q with all the back doors and bags of sand? 4 - The people of Bournemouth. It was they who voted them in, helped build their egos to the size of the Imax and then kept them there in the first place. 5 - The people of Bournemouth again. Especially the over-50's who are afraid of anything different happening. 6 - The big wooden doors at the Town Hall. We can't see through them or behind them so who knows what goes on? 7 - The job itself. It's pretty pointless in all honesty. What does a Mayor do anyway? Attends a few opening ceremonies, flits about in a posh car and then gets free parking. Gets people to raise a few quid for him for his charities. Hardly the type of job to attract a meaningful, life-experienced high-flyer who would make a positive and more worthwhile difference to the town. 8 - The chain. It's a known fact that Tories get off with having things hanging around their necks. Millstones, tangerines on string, medallions, pearl necklaces, Jim'll Fix-It badges - you name it. All around their necks, proudly displayed like a Chav's knuckle tattoo. The Mayor's chain is another "badge" for them. 9 - Cash - They've all got their snouts in the trough and if there's a cushy job going with questionable expenses, little to do on a daily basis, free car & a golden ticket to local dinners & the like, a Tory will sniff it out from a mile off like a pig would a truffle. There you go, 9 reasons why the mayors in Bournemouth are all Tories. And they're all Labour's fault!

Exactly!