[g jones]

As described, 'mere minions r us' were subjected to pure pantomime as first the woefully sick Mayor was ushered in via he TD plated Range Rover. Holding the walls and the furniture to balance his way to the front, our 'deathly' Mayor was unable to breath at times, mutter incoherently.

Malcolm was cosseted, nay wrapped in soft cotton wool and moved as far from the interference of opposition councillors as possible sitting amidst the ilk of his support.

Months stretching on years of protestations by certain Conservatives melted into the ether of a political blackhole as conscience was sidelined for the pleasure-dome of power and voluminous golden allowances. Principled Tories abandoning their pre-stated principle's and falling into line.

The first votes cast resulted in 18-17. Abstensions followed from independents on further votes leaving most decisions 17-14 reflecting the votes cast by the two major party's.

All was clearly lost in the full attended meeting. The indicator of that loss being the early alphabetical vote Mayor Paul (B)arton, the last remaining doubter who voted nay to John Broadley and aye to Malcolm Pritchard. The vote for Mayor being 18-17.

Councillors David (M)ason; David (P)arkins and Ian (R)obinson where able to choose to abstain on further votes as the predictability of defeat established itself.

The dramatic event was the Deputy Mayorality with Mayor Paul Barton declining to step into that role. In a cheap appeasement, Cllr Britcliffe without forewarning, moved John Broadley and resisted an adjournment to force the outcome.

An adjournment was acquired. John honourably refusing the political bribe in the interim. Instead Munsif Dad (Labour) was advanced only to met with the political jeopardy of Cllr Britcliffe seeking to grasp the asian vote back, withdrawing the offer to Labour by counter nominating Allah Dad.

With Mayor Pritchard moored in the first citizens seat and refusing to vote initially, the chamber accumulated a final and dramatic deadlock of 17-17. Mayor Pritchard was then forced to use his privy casting and golden vote. The chamber witnessed the longest silence in my memory as indecision gripped the Mayor.

Time passed but the heavy hand and staring glare of Cllr Britcliffe finally brought the axe down on Labour's nomination with the Mayor's decision completing his political transaction nominating Conservative Allah Dad.