Editorial

Barnet one of the capitals largest boroughs has a new Mayor.

Brian Coleman the veteran London politician for the Conservative party has vowed in his maiden speech to defeat damaging bloggers, and also confront the constant criticism of politicians, both locally and nationally which only serves  "to reduce voter turnout and help party's like the BNP".

Mayor Coleman said:

“There are a few people that I would not like to thank, those bloggers that think anyone involved in civic life whether it is an elected politicians or professional officers is fair game for personal abuse and whose mission it is to undermine and denigrate. Whilst mayor of this borough I will not tolerate anyone in this chamber or outside who regard it cool and trendy to undermine democratic institutions, and I do not have time for those who have community criticism rather community service".     

 
Paying tribute to the departing Mayor, John Marshall the former MP for Hendon South and former MEP Mayor Coleman said:

"His mayoralty has been an unqualified success".

Coleman a strong advocate of the "civil mayoralty" tradition in local government and an ardent opponent of directly elected mayors said:

"There is no greater honour for a serving councilor to be elected Mayor of this great borough".

A former pupil at Queen Elizabeth Boys School Mayor Coleman learnt his debating skills at the leading grammar school when he was a boy, and used his skilled oratory techniques to underline his commitment to maintain "first class services in Barnet".

Accompanying Mayor Coleman on his duties will be his mother and Lady Raine Spencer the stepmother of the late Princess Diana.

Photo credit:  London Daily News