Who else will throw tricorn in the ring in bid to be elected mayor?

English Democrat councillors David Owens and Elliott Fountain seem to be undergoing something of a mixed set of fortunes at present. Whilst Boston Borough Council is treating them in much the same way as it did when Councillor Owens was first elected for the BNP in 2008, the other BBC – the British Broadcasting Corporation - sees them as a valuable source of news.
Friday’s Look North highlighted a planned campaign by councillor Fountain to become the first elected mayor of Boston.
The idea of an elected mayor was an option that was discussed and rejected by the borough council last year – and it then went on to adopt what’s been called the strong leadership model … the rules of which it has already flouted.
However, it appears that the public can still request a referendum on the proposals if five per cent of the borough’s population petitions the council - and with an “official” population of 85,000, just 2,950 voters would be needed … a not impossible number to find.
It’s reckoned that a referendum would cost between £50,000 and £75,000
Enter Councillor Elliott.
He told Look North's political editor, Tim Iredale, that he believes mass immigration has not been good for Boston, and would like big local firms to employ at least 50% of English workers.
It’s a view that we think might well strike a chord if it became a counter in the political game of snakes and ladders.
It’s also interesting to speculate on who might come out of the woodwork if the public called for a referendum.
We are sure that there are many members of Boston’s self-appointed elite who would want to throw their hats – or hairnets – into the ring for the chance to run Boston for four years … and who would not sit idly by and risk letting someone else snaffle the local crown jewels.
We shall see.
Meanwhile, it seems that the English Democrats are still struggling for acceptance by the rank and file within Worst Street.
Councillor Owens has previously reported “a few challenges” trying to get information from officers at the council “due to the Chief Executive apparently banning councillors and officers speaking unless it’s through the head of department.”
He tells readers of his blog: “Now of course, I expect that the heads of each department are very busy people, so the last thing they need is councillors constantly calling them to seek advice and/or clarification on ward matters … the upshot of that has been having to wait days to get calls returned and emails answered.”
Councillor Owens reports that he e-mailed the Chief Executive for a reply and was told that it has always been "protocol" to conduct matters in the way he described.
“Well that's news to me, as I have numerous emails from officers over the years where that was not as per the ‘protocol’ he describes,” says Councillor Owens.
We questioned this attitude the other day.
The English Democrats nationally seem to be political pariahs – but at a local level, the people who represent them are councillors first and foremost, and should be treated as such.
More than 3,600 people live in Fenside Ward, and they are entitled to unhindered representation from their councillors.
This cannot happen if judgemental staff are allowed to hamper a councillor’s efforts through reasons of personal - and unprofessional - prejudice.

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