Councillor storms out as new chair is elected
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Outgoing chairperson, Madeline Black, hands over the chain of office to new chairperson of Moyle District Council, William Graham and the council’s Chief Executive Richard Lewis and newly elected vice-chair Cara McShane look on.
There was an air of inter-party tension in the chamber of Moyle District Council on Monday night (June 23), as members voted to elect their new chairperson.
Independent councillor Seamas Blaney proposed UUP representative William Graham for the seat, but his party colleague, Helen Harding, last year's vice-chairperson, was also in the running, after being proposed by out-going chairperson, Madeline Black of the SDLP.
However, members voted in favour of Cllr Graham, leaving Cllr Harding visibly upset.
She refused to shake hands with her colleague, saying she had nothing to shake hands about. She then left the chamber, before returning a short time later.
At the time, she said she did not wish to make any comment, except to say that she now had alot of decisions to make.
Speaking after the meeting she said: "It was just one of those things. That's politics. I was disappointed at the time but looking back now it's OK."
Cllr Graham, taking up the post for the second time in his political career, said that he made the decision that he was going to stand, and members had voted in his favour.
As he took his seat at the top table, he said he would do his best for all the people of the district.
“As the new chairperson I would like to say a few words. I will do my best to be fair during my year in office. I will serve the people to the best of my ability and attend all the functions I can on behalf of the people of Moyle," he said.
