Bournemouth has its first Reform mayor and deputy mayor after a historic first town council meeting which saw a “changing of the guard”.
At the new town council’s first meeting on Wednesday, May 20, councillors voted in the mayor and deputy mayor for the next 12 months.
Roberto Rocca, Reform UK councillor for Strouden and Queen’s Park, was elected as mayor in an uncontested vote.
In his speech, Cllr Rocca said: “I would like to sincerely thank the council for the trust and confidence placed in me this evening. It is a great honour and a responsibility that I accept with humility and gratitude. To become the 112th Mayor of Bournemouth, following more than 130 years of civic history and traditions, is a privilege and honour I will never forget.
“It is a tremendous honour to serve as your mayor. Bournemouth has given so much to me and my family over the past 13 years, and I am deeply proud to now serve this community in such an important civic role. As someone who is both British and Italian, this moment also means a great deal on a personal level.
“During my year as mayor, I hope to be a visible, approachable and active representative for all residents of Bournemouth. I look forward to supporting local charities, community groups, volunteers, young people, veterans and many organisations that work every day to make our town stronger and more united. I also want to pay tribute to all previous mayors who have served Bournemouth with dedication over so many years.
“Becoming part of that long civic history is something I will always cherish. I will carry out this role with commitment, respect, dignity and the desire to represent our town in the very best possible way.”
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Mark Harper, Reform UK councillor for Northbourne, Redhill, Wallisdown North and Winton West, was nominated for the role of deputy mayor.
George Farquhar was also nominated but declined, saying: “This is a changing of the guard.”
Sara Armstrong was also nominated for the role of deputy mayor.
After a vote, Cllr Harper was elected deputy mayor of Bournemouth.
In his speech, Cllr Harper said: “Thank you for the trust that you have put in me to carry out this position, which I will do to the best of my ability in supporting our communities, our mayor and the council in general.”
The appointments mean Reform UK will hold both ceremonial leadership positions on Bournemouth Town Council during its first year.
While the mayor and deputy Mayor roles are largely ceremonial, they carry a high public profile through civic events, official engagements and council meetings across Bournemouth.
