Our town mayor, Cllr Gavin Harris, is often in the news locally and usually for the good things he achieves. Yesterday, however, he reached the Free Press because of an allegation that he had not distanced appropriately during a 50th birthday street party. This was not Harris's party but it was on Record Street and Harris is a resident thereat. He was a guest. As such, this is of little news value, except that Harris is suggesting a number of similar gatherings in Rhuthun/Ruthin, estate by estate.
First, then, is the issue of whether it was prudent to have such a party at all. Again, this wasn't Harris's call. Harris provided evidence of distancing at the gathering but get-togethers such as this are outwith the guidelines. Do they actually place people at risk? As of yesterday, the Welsh government's rules are relaxed on meetings but only a little: two households may now meet in the open air, provided social distancing is observed.
The 50th party was more than two families and well before such a relaxation and, as such, was unlawful if not illegal.
Secondly, Harris doesn't make the rules though, as mayor, there is an implicit understanding he needs to abide by them, setting an example. His weekly broadcasts urge us to stay at home, and so on. Harris maintains that he kept to distancing rules, even submitting video footage of people well away from each other. He blamed "deceiving camera angles" as regards the images used to accuse him (though in the Free Press article, the mayor doth protest too much, methinks). It is nevertheless true that the camera can indeed lie.
The issue, really, is that some of us are getting lockdown fatigue. People have been bending the rules for a number of weeks, now, while others continue to abide by them. I have expressed concerns about regular breeches but have never been tempted to rat to the authorities or the police or the press. And, we note that the Free Press accuser is anonymous.
Personally, I cannot see this episode denting the mayor's popularity (he's generally popular, though this is not universal). Neither will this deny Harris his seat at the county council—we'll've forgotten about it by election time. And, if mayor Lewney can survive *that* parking incident, no doubt Harris will too. He's contributed much to Rhuthun and is too valuable to throw his political career away: his mayoralty's been extended till November 2020 in the face of coronavirus.
But, as for whether there should be a string of street parties across Rhuthun, well, that I think would be folly.
From the Free Press. Click or tap to expand
First, then, is the issue of whether it was prudent to have such a party at all. Again, this wasn't Harris's call. Harris provided evidence of distancing at the gathering but get-togethers such as this are outwith the guidelines. Do they actually place people at risk? As of yesterday, the Welsh government's rules are relaxed on meetings but only a little: two households may now meet in the open air, provided social distancing is observed.
The 50th party was more than two families and well before such a relaxation and, as such, was unlawful if not illegal.
Secondly, Harris doesn't make the rules though, as mayor, there is an implicit understanding he needs to abide by them, setting an example. His weekly broadcasts urge us to stay at home, and so on. Harris maintains that he kept to distancing rules, even submitting video footage of people well away from each other. He blamed "deceiving camera angles" as regards the images used to accuse him (though in the Free Press article, the mayor doth protest too much, methinks). It is nevertheless true that the camera can indeed lie.
The issue, really, is that some of us are getting lockdown fatigue. People have been bending the rules for a number of weeks, now, while others continue to abide by them. I have expressed concerns about regular breeches but have never been tempted to rat to the authorities or the police or the press. And, we note that the Free Press accuser is anonymous.
Personally, I cannot see this episode denting the mayor's popularity (he's generally popular, though this is not universal). Neither will this deny Harris his seat at the county council—we'll've forgotten about it by election time. And, if mayor Lewney can survive *that* parking incident, no doubt Harris will too. He's contributed much to Rhuthun and is too valuable to throw his political career away: his mayoralty's been extended till November 2020 in the face of coronavirus.
But, as for whether there should be a string of street parties across Rhuthun, well, that I think would be folly.