This week saw the first Medway Council meeting following our recent local elections. While not a regular full council meeting with all of the bells and whistles, this one saw the election of a new mayor and deputy, a selection for leader of the council, and a couple of other bits. Keevil went along to cover the proceedings, and you can find the highlights below.
#Keevil is at #MedwayCouncil alone tonight, so if anything gets tweeted you don’t like, its probably #Jennings fault.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
So @SteveIles enters as Mayor, but who will leave as Mayor?. It’s a mystery #Congratulations @HabibTejan #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Election of the mayor. It is so tense. @HabibTejan is being nominated… #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Quite the speech introducing Cllr Tejan. Will they be doing this for all candidates for Mayor? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
4 Cllrs didnt make it tonight. #Jennings isnt here to report on who they were. 1 @MedwayLabour 3 @MedwayTories #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
NO OTHER NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR?!? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Democracy inaction as we ELECT @HabibTejan mayor #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
We now continue to appoint a #DeputyMayor WHO WILL IT BE? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
In an interesting twist that NOBODY saw coming @SteveIles is being nominated as Deputy. It’s being worded as a reward for his role Mayor #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
And so not some much a bang but a whimper @SteveIles is now #DeputyMayor. The room awkwardly waits as he and @HabibTejan go off to swap chains! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Shout to former Cllr Mackness who is in the room. I mean he is a former Cllr. He is still called Mackness. Well I’m assuming that. He doesn’t speak to overtly political blogs, so haven’t asked him to confirm. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
He left a Deputy but he has returned a Mayor @HabibTejan is back in the room. Now we can see what a properly run Council meeting is like #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
This just got interesting #NotReally as @HabibTejan accepts a symbolic sword of office. This traditions have been passed down since as far back as… 1997 #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
This means @SteveIles is now free to begin his campaign for Leader of the Conservative Party, as the position will be vacant at any minute. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
And now Piano playing #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
I enjoyed playing for you tonight, however, it was a Double Bass, not a cello, the cello was last year! pic.twitter.com/1PxOOSlxTY
— Noah (KingsRowStudio) (@KingsRowStudio) May 22, 2019
Excellent dig from Cllr Kemp who in thanking Cllr @SteveIles highlights that only those on the Tory side will know the time consuming nature of the Mayoral role.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Thanks for the Thanks from @SteveIles who for no clear reason has moved to a podium. pic.twitter.com/YNG8xcbLnr
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
ITEM 7 ALERT: Election of the Leader for #MedwayCouncil from 2019-2023 It could be ANYBODY
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
OH MY GOD Cllr Jarrett has received UNANIMOUS support from Medway Tories to be nominated as Leader of #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
The Tension is bearable as we await to see who will be Leader of the #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
#MedwayCouncil has a Leader. We have avoided anarchy, boo. https://t.co/i6MRtFlvhN
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Thankfully the Political Assistants are safe at #MedwayCouncil great news for people doing a great job https://t.co/QYFj92ruqn
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
Thanking the Staff time at #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
And in 79 minutes the meeting is called to a close. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
We are actually ending #MedwayCouncil with the National Anthem!
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019
New Mayor of Medway @HabibTejan #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/uteIXEpnu4
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) May 22, 2019