Well after weeks of intrigue, innuendo and investigative mutterings in Gun Wharf the multititled Cllr Mike has now put his copper hat in the ring for the Sheriff top-job.
This blog has been leading the charge, without handcuffs, for the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact, and, Medway Community Safety Partnership Chair (breath) to announce his position on the role and put an end to the speculation.
It is welcome to see him taking the advice of the opposition
We speculate however that Cllr Mike may be playing a clever move; ever the fox-like chess player; we think he may be pitching his deep blue tent firmly for the deputy job which will certainly not be a part-time undertaking if the Colonel takes the top job.
The big question on the lips of many is whether Cllr Mike can now continue to put the independent interests of Medway citizens first as Chair of the MSP, whilst also canvassing across the whole of Kent for this position; first as the Tory nominee and secondly as candidate for November 15th.
The public will want a full-time pair of eyes on crime in Medway and not an individual with an eye on a bigger job elsewhere. Mike therefore should think about his position and dedicate himself full time to getting job. A foot in both camps and roles will look disengenious.
All eyes are now the great and the 'white-haired' good on Kent County Council; will the blue-rinsers in Kent County Hall support a Medway Conservative candidate? I suspect they will find this difficult. Secondly eyes will be on the ever gregrarious Cllr 'River' MacKinlay, to see whether another Medway Tory will put his truncheon on the table for the top job
Medway is suffering at the moment; as Medway Tory factions play a death dance with each other over Council positions and police sheriffs we are seeing significant cuts to Police budgets of up to 20% and a rise in opportunistic theft; we are seeing crime statistics which were heading downward from 1997-2010 flatlining as upto 500 front line officers are being cut from the thin blue line
The Police are also threatened with privatisation as G4S and other private-providers move into police stations. The profit motive does not sit well with a force which is the last line of defence for individual liberty.
Meanwhile Labour will move ahead with its ballot for our candidate. I am hoping for a strong woman; who can show part-time Collins and sunset Mike a thing or two about managing law and order.
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