PMQs
I watched Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) at Westminster during the week - and witnessed the following exchange with a Labour MP - which is dutifully reported in Hansard.
Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab):
North Tyneside's Tory elected mayor has spoken of her intention to become the council's chief executive under new government powers. Does the Prime Minister think that the mayor, who was elected on a political ticket under the alternative vote and has no proven professional experience for such an apolitical role, should go back to the electorate in the true spirit of localism and get their opinion on this issue?
The Prime Minister:
I thank the honourable lady for reminding everyone that North Tyneside has an excellent Conservative mayor who is doing a great job. It will be a matter for her and the people and the council of North Tyneside to work out fantastic job she can do in the future.
Thank goodness for that is all I can say.
Because local government is not the only place where senior lay people can go from an elected and essentially voluntary position - to become the 'head of the paid service'.
Unison's new regional secretary in Scotland - Mike Kirby - is now the union's senior paid official north of the border - but for many years was the senior elected lay member as 'regional convener'.
So I say what's good enough for local government - and a Tory mayor in North Tyneside - is good enough for the trade unions.
Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab):
North Tyneside's Tory elected mayor has spoken of her intention to become the council's chief executive under new government powers. Does the Prime Minister think that the mayor, who was elected on a political ticket under the alternative vote and has no proven professional experience for such an apolitical role, should go back to the electorate in the true spirit of localism and get their opinion on this issue?
The Prime Minister:
I thank the honourable lady for reminding everyone that North Tyneside has an excellent Conservative mayor who is doing a great job. It will be a matter for her and the people and the council of North Tyneside to work out fantastic job she can do in the future.
Thank goodness for that is all I can say.
Because local government is not the only place where senior lay people can go from an elected and essentially voluntary position - to become the 'head of the paid service'.
Unison's new regional secretary in Scotland - Mike Kirby - is now the union's senior paid official north of the border - but for many years was the senior elected lay member as 'regional convener'.
So I say what's good enough for local government - and a Tory mayor in North Tyneside - is good enough for the trade unions.
