Returning to politics and elections, I can exclusively reveal that an attempt to replace Thanet's cabinet of Dad's Army duffers has well and truly kicked off.Malcolm Kirkaldie, Ramsgate campaigner and general thorn in the side of all things TDC, has thrown his fedora into the ring and started a mayoral petition. The aim will be to get enough signatures to force our beloved council into holding a referendum on whether to replace the current system with a Mayor of Thanet. Speaking exclusively to Thanet's premier blog, Mr Kirkaldie said:
I don't know what a Mayoral stalking horse is called (perhaps a talking horse) but I am it (for the moment at least). This has a number of functions:
1. To smoke other potential Mayors out
2. To get the help of Joe public
3. Engage with the public
4. Get the public involved with the petition
5. Find out if TDC will initiate a referendum
6. Get rid of the Cabinet system
7. Find out if TDC/the political parties are behind a Mayor or not
A Mayor would not be an extra burden on the tax payers, as the costs of the Cabinet go as does a number of staffing costs. With a Mayor you can vote them out, currently you cannot get the Chief Executive out, or any of the full time council officers. Hopefully in the end we can get a Mayor who will not take an overly inflated wage?
And he adds: 'Anyone up for the job of press and publicity?' Speaking as someone with close links to the Mayor of London (why, only last week I was standing merely yards away as BoJo rode his bicycle past me on Islington's Upper Street), I think I would be perfect for the job! And who better to stand outside Thanet Council's offices with a placard saying CHANGE than a former millionaire with a scruffy duffel coat and a dog on a string, who recently lost his shirt in Iceland-on-Thames (as they're calling the City these days)?
