History has been made at Basingstoke council after the first-ever formal vote for the borough’s top civic role.
Cllr Phil Heath was due to become Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane this week having served as deputy for 12 months but the ruling Conservative administration blocked his ascension and installed Tory councillor Keith Chapman in a dramatic meeting of the full council. Former Tory Phil was expelled from the party following a row with a party worker and currently has four Standards complaints against his conduct.
Because of this, Basingstoke Conservatives claimed he could not take the position of Mayor resulting in a vote between councillors Heath and Chapman – which the latter won. The position of Mayor is usually given to the longest-serving councillor but this tradition has been broken, according to Cllr Heath.
“The Mayoralty has been smashed,” he told the Observer. “We do not have a traditional Mayor as from now on the office will be open to political manipulation.”
The promotion from Deputy to Mayor is normally a foregone conclusion but the extraordinary circumstances involving councillor Heath lead to landmark measures being taken. In theory, a Mayor-elect must receive support from across the council chamber but neither Labour nor Conservative councillors were willing to back the other man.
Phil continued: “I will always fully support democrat action but I do not believe this vote was democratic because the minute of the council stating a Mayor-elect must be supported by a member of a different party has been brushed aside. I do not believe we have a Mayor – we have a political chairman and as such I now want to be referred to as deputy chairman. That said, I will carry out my duties to fully support Keith.”
Opposition Labour councillors refused to give their support to Cllr Chapman, claiming he is not the rightful Mayor under the constitution. Group leader Laura James told the council chamber: “After all that has happened, I cannot support you Keith.”
Liberal Democrat leader Gavin James added: “The office of Mayor is a significant part of civic life. We support the principle of seniority which means supporting the office not the individual. It is deeply regrettable that events have progressed as they have and that the process has become embroiled in petty party politics.
“However, what is done is done and it is important that the role of Mayor is not further damaged by unseemly squabbles.”
Cllr Heath had lined up his Mayoral charities to support throughout the year – who receive tens-of-thousands-of-pounds but they will now have to wait for funding.
Cllr Heath added: “If anybody would like to give to my charities it would be a great help. I would hope that I will support them as Mayor next year but it is difficult to know whether they will want or need my help in twelve months time. Of course, I will be up for election next year and I am sure the Conservatives will do all they can – in the spirit of politics – to stop me being elected.”
Cllr Heath had chosen to support Age Concern, Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre and the Scouts and Guides Association.
