GOB OF THE YEAR AWARDS

I see that Tameside's Cllr's Quinn and Cooney have put out a clarion call for suitable candidates for the second ‘Pride of Droylsden’ Awards 2013.

 

Apparently the town is set to host its second ‘Pride awards night’ which is aimed at showcasing worthy individuals or groups who go above and beyond the norm for Droylsden.

Currently there are eight categories, but I thought it might be an interesting idea to include a ninth:

The award for the most ridiculous, mendacious comment of the year.

"...you don't speak for me!"

My nomination would be Labour’s Cllr Ann Holland who, last year, left her own Council Chiefs shocked, when without a scintilla of judgement, shouted a tirade of abuse against former PM Thatcher during a Full Cabinet Meeting of Tameside Council.

Speaking against cuts to the NHS, Droylsden West’s Cllr Ann Holland said, “…Where did Prince Philip go when he was ill? Where did David Cameron go with his sick child? The NHS. Where did Margaret Thatcher go for her eyes – I dearly wish she’d go blind, but she went to the NHS.”  

Of course at this point, and quite rightly, the Leader of the Council, Kieran Quinn, quickly tried to distance the council from her comments saying: “These isolated comments certainly do not represent the views of the council …We do wish her well and do not support any of those comments regarding her health.”

However, always one to have the last word, the enraged Cllr Ann Holland shouted “…you don’t speak for me!” at her suitably embarrassed comrade.

Now although she’s since made an unreserved apology and with time to reflect, she may well have thought she was being clever and funny… if that was the case, one can only assume that she has been the butt of too many councillor jokes to the extent that it impaired her thinking.

But even now, nearly 12 months later, Cllr Ann Holland’s nasty little rant remains as one of the most despicable uttering's ever witnessed in a Council Chamber; one that should have automatically disqualified her from office.