Labour election win leaves city without mayor (From Daily Echo)
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Labour victory in Southampton sees city mayor Terry Matthews lose his seat
9:20am Saturday 5th May 2012 in News
By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter
Terry Matthews (right) pictured with City sheriff Derek Burke.
Labour's stunning election win which swept the Tories from power in Southampton has left the city without a mayor for the first time in decades.
Voters dumped Conservative Terry Matthews from his Shirley seat in favour of Labour’s Mark Chaloner, 12 days before his year in the ceremonial role was due to end, leaving it vacant, something it is thought has only ever happened once before.
City sheriff, Labour councillor Derek Burke, has had to be drafted in to cover the mayor’s engagements – starting, appropriately enough, with the opening night of an exhibition called A Right Fine Mess at the city’s Bargate Monument Gallery.
Among the other events he will now deputise at are a circus performance, a library fun festival, a guided walk of Southampton’s Old Cemetery, entertaining Itchen College |students in the mayor’s parlour, and attending a function at the Humble Plumb pub in Bitterne.
Although not entitled to carry out any more mayoral duties, Mr Matthews will don the chains of office once more, at the annual mayor-making ceremony at Southampton Guildhall on May 16, where he will hand over the reins to his successor.
Comments(19)
Paramjit Bahia
says...
1:04pm Sat 5 May 12
Linesman
says...
1:59pm Sat 5 May 12
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Because it is a 'sacred cow' of British tradition.
Why keep on wasting money on these ceremonial clowns while they keep on pleading poverty when it comes to providing services for the people?
Donald2000
says...
5:48pm Sat 5 May 12
Donald2000
says...
6:20pm Sat 5 May 12
DM Andy wrote:I think this is a non story. He lost his job when he only had 12 years to serve. And the point of the story is?
Does the mayor really need to be a councillor? Mr Matthews only had 12 more days to serve as Mayor, surely it wouldn't have been the end of the world for him to carry on. If that's a rule that can't be got around, then just don't make councillors in their last year of office Mayor.
Donald2000
says...
6:21pm Sat 5 May 12
Donald2000 wrote:Oh sorry, I mean, twelve days.....twelve years, twelve days, whats the point, anyway?
DM Andy wrote: Does the mayor really need to be a councillor? Mr Matthews only had 12 more days to serve as Mayor, surely it wouldn't have been the end of the world for him to carry on. If that's a rule that can't be got around, then just don't make councillors in their last year of office Mayor.I think this is a non story. He lost his job when he only had 12 years to serve. And the point of the story is?
J.P.M
says...
6:36pm Sat 5 May 12
Donald2000
says...
6:50pm Sat 5 May 12
J.P.M wrote:Yes indeed, I know exactly what you mean....
My kids started crying when they saw that scary photo!
geoff51
says...
8:25pm Sat 5 May 12
Be afraid, be very afraid!
loosehead
says...
9:46pm Sat 5 May 12
he held surgery at Church St Baptist church & would listen & try to help people so what's the sense of saying
My kids started crying when they saw that scary photo!
Yes indeed, I know exactly what you mean....
what an insulting remarks these are no better than the egg thrower
Portswoodfoke
says...
10:13pm Sat 5 May 12
Donald2000
says...
10:25pm Sat 5 May 12
loosehead wrote:No, I dont know Terry Matthews and he doesn't know me either. Are we going to spend all day on discussing what some politician does or does not know. There are many valuable people in this society who have done a great deal for other people who go totally unsung and who dont fetch up on the front page of the echo in a Mayor's dress. Good people dont need publicity and they help people all the time. Its a total non story in any event; thats why people are making adverse comments about it.
Do any of you actually now Terry Mathews? Have you ever met & talked to him? he held surgery at Church St Baptist church & would listen & try to help people so what's the sense of saying My kids started crying when they saw that scary photo! Yes indeed, I know exactly what you mean.... what an insulting remarks these are no better than the egg thrower
Linesman
says...
10:46pm Sat 5 May 12
When he was elected/appointed, it must have been known to those who took the decision that he would have to stand for election as a councillor before his term as Mayor was completed. Was the decision one of arrogance, assuming that he would automatically be re-elected?
I trust that whoever becomes the next Mayor will not have to stand for re-election before his term of office is complete.
Saintlygirl
says...
1:54am Sun 6 May 12
aldermoorboy
says...
7:21am Sun 6 May 12
Lone Ranger.
says...
9:41am Sun 6 May 12
geoff51 wrote:Why are you bothered ... You dont live in Southampton
Never mind about who is or isnt Mayor, there are more things to worry about like the fact that we have got 2 years of a collection of Labour idiots in charge of the council.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
Ant Smoking MP
says...
10:23am Sun 6 May 12
geoff51 wrote:Feeling a bit sore are we Geoff?
Never mind about who is or isnt Mayor, there are more things to worry about like the fact that we have got 2 years of a collection of Labour idiots in charge of the council.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
geoff51
says...
4:43pm Sun 6 May 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:No but I still care about the City of my birth and where i spent the first 48 years of my life.
geoff51 wrote:Why are you bothered ... You dont live in Southampton
Never mind about who is or isnt Mayor, there are more things to worry about like the fact that we have got 2 years of a collection of Labour idiots in charge of the council.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
It pains me to see the return of labour to Southampton as i have many memories of their neglect and incompetence in the running of the City.
The spendthrift years of June Bridle, the massive increases in Council tax to pay for their doctrine and the kowtowing to their Union puppet masters.
Like I said 'Be very afraid'
loosehead
says...
9:11pm Sun 6 May 12
geoff51 wrote:I agree with you & I can't wait to see if this lot change their tune once Labour start putting into place their true policies
Lone Ranger. wrote:No but I still care about the City of my birth and where i spent the first 48 years of my life.
geoff51 wrote:Why are you bothered ... You dont live in Southampton
Never mind about who is or isnt Mayor, there are more things to worry about like the fact that we have got 2 years of a collection of Labour idiots in charge of the council.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
It pains me to see the return of labour to Southampton as i have many memories of their neglect and incompetence in the running of the City.
The spendthrift years of June Bridle, the massive increases in Council tax to pay for their doctrine and the kowtowing to their Union puppet masters.
Like I said 'Be very afraid'
DM Andy says...
9:48am Sat 5 May 12
If that's a rule that can't be got around, then just don't make councillors in their last year of office Mayor.