Who the Hell is Jane Riley?

This time last year people were asking “Who the Hell is Sarah Barber?” Now they are asking “Who the Hell is Jane Riley?” If you’re wondering who Jane Riley is, she’s the latest mayor of Ipswich. Jane Riley began her year of office at the Annual Ipswich Labour Love In at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, where Carrot Road season ticket holder, John Cook spoke of her centuries of public service.

In the majority of town’s someone becomes the mayor as a thanks by fellow councillor’s for years of public service and a thank you for their contribution. But Ipswich is different. The requirements are simple. First you have to be a Labour Councillor with a contribution to the council of saying “For” once a year and sometimes saying “Against” once a year and putting your hand in the air at various times. It is clear that the office of mayor is not considered a great honour by Ipswich Labour.

There are many people who should be honoured with the mayorship of Ipswich like Liz Harsant and John Carnell but they are Conservatives and though the office of mayor is supposed to be politically neutral, in Ipswich, under this lousy Labour administration the office of mayor is not politically neutral. As a matter of fact, it’s a total farce.