Congratulations to Monica Lovatt the new Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. It was a tight contest. Ten councillors voted for Monica, and ten voted for the other candidate, Sam Bowring.  But the outgoing Mayor used his casting vote for Monica.

Congratulations also to Andrew Todd, the new Deputy Mayor.

Angela Lawrence who had been nominated as a candidate for Deputy Mayor,  and who then left her party to become an independent,  said she would bow out of the contest in favour of Sam Bowring who was next in line.

The vote was then ten for Andrew Todd, and ten for Sam Bowring. The new Mayor used her casting vote for Andrew.

We all got to shake hands with the new Mayor and Deputy. The occasion was not as exciting as last year, where the room was packed, and where a couple of people shouted “Shame!”.

But one lady I canvassed afterwards said that it was wonderful, seeing democracy at work, not just the boring old way where everything was settled beforehand.

Outgoing Mayor Mike Badcock was the last Mayor of Abingdon, and the first ever Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames. He also inaugurated the World Bun Throwing Championships.

(Just corrected the date. I was looking at the wrong year on the TC Calendar)

Out of 21 town councillors, each year, one is elected Mayor and one Deputy Mayor. From as far back as most people remember it has been the next one in line gets elected. But last year there was a shock result when Abingdon returned 11 Conservatives 9 Lib-Dems and 1 Labour councillor to the town council.  The Conservatives, with such a small majority, thought that the Mayor’s casting vote was more important than the tradition of next in line.

This year the make up of the council has changed slightly. We do not know if Peter Jones, the current Deputy Mayor, will be able to get there. Peter is well liked by both sides and would have made a very good Mayor – but sadly suffered a stroke.

I have also just read that one Lib-Dem has decided they can no longer remain a Lib-Dem because of the Coalition. So this year there are likely to be 10 Conservatives 8 Lib-Dems 1 Labour and 1 Independent.

The Candidates for Mayor are Monica Lovatt and Samantha Bowring. As individuals they both have done a lot for the town. I would guess it will be 10-10 and then the current Mayor will use his casting vote for Monica.

Then we come to the Deputy Mayor. Again two candidates: Cllr Andrew Todd for the Conservatives, and  Cllr Angela Lawrence the ex Lib-Dem Independent. Again it is likely to be 10:10 and will rest on the new Mayor’s casting vote.

Who would have thought Mayor Making would become such a drama. It happens on Wed 9 May. If just one councillor did not get there for whatever reason everything could change.

Our Prime minister took the decision to use the veto against a new EU treaty which would have meant greater fiscal union. The treaty was driven by the leaders of Germany and France – their aim was to keep the Euro alive.

The sign you see on Abingdon Bridge tells of Abingdon’s close relationships with other European towns. The twinning society is one of our most popular societies.

Walking over Abingdon Bridge, just past the entry sign, a man suggested I took a picture of the view from the bridge up Bridge Street. He said it was so wonderfully English with the flag flying – a beautiful sight.

I suspect we would like to have it both ways. We would like to continue to be an influential voice in Europe, but also keep our own tax making powers. But if the rest of Europe do move closer together without us,  that veto could be a defining moment in our relationship: not just with continental Europe, but also with our northern neighbour, Scotland – represented by the blue on the flag, who were not consulted about the veto, and who are pushing ever closer to a referendum on independence within the greater Europe.

On election day at least a third of people coming to the polling station had not received a polling card.  The Didcot Herald reported a similar situation in South Oxfordshire under the headline “Inquiry into election ‘shambles’ ” .  A lot of people are now getting polling cards belatedly as  batches come through from the Swindon depot.  Hope not too many people missed out as a result.