South Wales Evening Post - 10 March 2007
Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea Ioan Richard has admitted he feels insulted and embarrassed after fellow councillors blocked him from becoming the city's next Lord Mayor.
Councillor Richard had been next in line for the position after spending the last 12 months as Lord Mayor Chris Holley's deputy.
Council protocol says the deputy should follow the Lord Mayor into the role unless there are serious reasons not to.But he has now missed out in favour of a fellow councillor.
Council protocol says: "When a councillor is elected to the position of Deputy Lord Mayor, then that person would become Lord Mayor the following year."
However, the code adds that councillors should decide whether a candidate is appropriate for the role.
Councillors were told this meant breaking the law or the council's code of conduct.
Councillor Richard said: "I have an unblemished record. I have never been found guilty of anything, not even taking a library book back late."
Councillor Richard had been backed for the role by members of Swansea's ruling coalition and three members of the Conservative Party.
But he lost the ballot by two votes. Sue Waller, from Newton, will take over instead.
Councillor Richard has served as a councillor for more than 21 years and is one of the most senior councillors not to have held the position of Lord Mayor.
He said: "It is very embarrassing for me and my family, and the community I represent. It's an insult to my constituents as well. I think it is just the politics of spite."
Councillor Richard's nomination for Deputy Lord Mayor 12 months ago was also opposed by Labour councillors, but he managed to gain enough support to be voted in.
His bid to become Lord Mayor is thought to have been hit by an email he sent to colleagues earlier this year calling for trench warfare after proposals to change the heads of council committees. He has since apologised and claims the email is being used as an excuse.
Council leader and current Lord Mayor, Chris Holley, said he was very unhappy at how the vote had gone.
"I'm extremely disappointed. We had assurances from many people that they were going to vote for him, and in the end they just didn't.
"I think they need to look at their consciences and ask themselves if they have done the right thing.
"Councillor Richard and his wife have been exemplary representatives of Swansea during his last 12 months as Deputy Lord Mayor.
"They have acquitted themselves very well and have been let down.
"It is a sad turn events and doesn't make Swansea councillors look very good."
