GREEN councilor Lizzie Deane has been elected as the new mayor in a vote boycotted by the Tory group.
Cllr Deane will fill the ceremonial and politically neutral role for a year after Councilor Mary Mears, who was due to become the next mayor of Brighton and Hove, was no longer able to take on the role due to health issues.
Outgoing Mayor Alan Robins and Cllr Deane paid their respects to Cllr Mears, expressing their sadness and wishing him a speedy recovery from his illness.
In a speech after donning her new mayoral robes, Cllr Deane said she would serve with the “humility, respect and dedication” the role deserves.
She said: ‘I can’t think of a more wonderful place to serve as a first citizen than Brighton and Hove.
“We are so lucky to live in a place with deep history and tradition, while being a forward-thinking city.”
The Tories nominated Cllr Dawn Barnett as a replacement for Cllr Mears, but the Green and Labor groups rejected the proposal due to concerns over previous statements made by the adviser.
Conservative councilors chose to boycott the council meeting because of this decision.
A Tory spokesperson said: ‘We are saddened to make this decision, especially as the Mmayoralty is one of Brighton and Hove City Council’s most cherished civic traditions and is meant to be non-political.
“However, as neither Labor nor the Greens support the Tory candidate, we felt it was fair and reasonable to show our support for Cllr Dawn Barnett by not participating or voting for the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Council. annual this year.
“We support Dawn 100% and believe as a group that the actions of Labor and Greens this year have been underhanded and wrong.”
The council’s deputy leader, Councilor Hannah Clare, criticized the boycott, calling the actions of the Tory councilors “shameful”.
Cllr Deane’s nomination was backed by all Green and Labor Councilors, but Independent Councilor Peter Atkinson chose to abstain in the Mayor’s vote.
Tory councilors boycotted council meeting after backing Cllr Dawn Barnett for mayor
Speaking to The Argus earlier this month, Cllr Atkinson said the decision not to back Cllr Barnett’s mayoral nomination was “petty”.
He said: “While I probably disagree with Dawn on almost everything politically, she has been a great servant to her local residents and is one of the longest-serving councilors in town.
“She didn’t get the support of the people of Hangleton by accident and is one of the hardest working councilors I know.
“The position of mayor is apolitical and ceremonial – and Dawn understands that. I think it’s petty and morally wrong to deny him that opportunity for political reasons.
Councilors also voted to elect Labor councilor Jackie O’Quinn as deputy mayor of Brighton and Hove.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-26 16:39:19
