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Was John Ward too hasty in resigning?

By Alan W Collins on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 18:25 / 7 comments

This is the last comment I shall make on the John Ward saga – besides looking forward to continuing to working with him in the advancement of the Conservative cause in Medway in future years.

I said from the outset that the issue was not career-threatening, based on personal experience in a similar matter, and blow me down, I was right. The Standards Board decided “that the allegation should not be referred to an ethical standards officer for investigation“.

What does that mean in practice? Well basically that the Standards Board would not have prevented him from continuing to be a Councillor as what he said “could be considered the expression of a political view“, which is protected under Freedom of Speech provisions in the Human Rights Act.

Of course, at the moment, it’s all well and good looking back with hindsight and wishing things had turned out differently, as his resignation has been accepted and a by-election is to take place in May.

There is, of course, an election to look forward to in 2011, though, or a Parliamentary Seat up for grabs…

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7 Comments

Rob says:

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 20:58

Can’t he just apply for a place at the bi-election?
Alan Collins says:

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 21:10

He probably could, Rob. The problem is, though, that that would spark *a lot* of questions.

By-elections cost the taxpayer money, and very few people would be pleased to hear that their money is being wasted because of a Councillor who resigned, then sought re-election at the subsequent by-election.
Former Councillor John Ward says:

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 22:02

The title of this post is a good question, and I had to go with the “intell” I had at the time. I also hadn’t expected a decision from the Standards Board this soon.

If I had known, then yes I’d have stayed on as an Independent, and saved the cost of a by-election (which isn’t all that much for just one ward). It is overwhelmingly evident that I’d have had near-enough everyone’s support, with the only exceptions being the opposition parties and their cronies. No surprise there, of course…

Now, I shall have to “mark time” for a couple of years, and then see whether the party wants me back. Despite all that has happened, and the inconvenience it has caused to some (although that was largely because the national party didn’t handle it well), my strong feeling is that they would wish for that.

In the meantime, I shall no doubt join you, Alan, in the public gallery at future Council meetings.
Alan Collins says:

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 22:19

It did seem like a difficult decision to make, John. As I said, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but at least this way a lot of discomfort in the Council Chamber whilst the opposition parties tried to make a big thing of the episode whilst the administration tried to get on with running the Council (as always…).

Then in a couple of years’ time we can join each other at the count as we watch our votes being counted, crossing our fingers and praying!

“In the meantime, I shall no doubt join you, Alan, in the public gallery at future Council meetings.”

I look forward to it – it’ll be nice to have some friendly company up there in the Gods, for a change!
Rob says:

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 23:26

Public gallery, eh?

Sounds like a code for “pub” to me….
Former Councillor John Ward says:

Friday 4th April 2008 at 17:48

Pub, eh? Well, there is the Upper Gillingham Club almost opposite the Municipal Buildings…

It looks like the next few Council meetings will be held at the Corn Exchange in Rochester (where we have Annual Council anyway) until the new facility in the St George’s Centre is ready, some months hence. Plenty of pubs near the Corn Exchange, but not much around Chatham Maritime, so we need to make the most of this in-between period

I am getting a funny feeling that, like Arnie the Governator: “I’ll be back!” three years from now…
Alan Collins says:

Friday 4th April 2008 at 23:36

“It looks like the next few Council meetings will be held at the Corn Exchange in Rochester (where we have Annual Council anyway) until the new facility in the St George’s Centre is ready, some months hence.”

Hmm, you seem to be privy to information I can’t find. I knew that the MB were closing soon, but didn’t know where the meetings were being held. There had better be excellent parking provision around those parts – I should be driving by that point!!!

“Plenty of pubs near the Corn Exchange, but not much around Chatham Maritime, so we need to make the most of this in-between period ”

Speak for yourself, John. By that time I should be a student at the Universities of Medway, and can thus make use of the bar and nightclub on-campus.

“I am getting a funny feeling that, like Arnie the Governator: “I’ll be back!” three years from now…”

As I said, I shall hopefully be there with you…