Rum, sodomy and the lash

Now, I've got your attention, I'd like to reassure you that this title is not being  gratuitously employed.

Rather, as many readers will doubtless know, it was part of a quote by Winston Churchill as he, presumably approvingly, reflected upon 'The traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy and the lash'.

Clearly an institution – or maybe even a calling – that offers something for everyone! And indeed, many young men and women more generally have had their lives shaped positively from an early age by their experiences (not necessarily including the trinity referenced above) in the services.

Furthermore, the contributions made by many ex-Armed Forces types to civilian life are equally diverse and varied.

Indeed, the editor of this impeccably well turned out news site was once a jolly matelot himself.

Hadleigh's most prominent previous-Royal Navy personage is, of course, Mayor 'Maritime' Minns. Now, although I really don't know first-hand – having only achieved sea scout status – being an officer in said nautical service does seem to require both an ability to inspire the ratings (the rum bit) and to enforce discipline (the lash bit).

Increasingly, I fear that Maritime is displaying the lash far more than sharing around the Captain Morgan (other brands are available). This is not proving to be a very good leadership style either for Maritime himself or indeed for the integrity and reputation of Hadleigh Town Council.

In previous articles, I've extolled Maritime's communications ability in calling on the community to pull together at times of stress or worry. He has been exemplary in this regard throughout the COVID19 pandemic, especially during the terrible spike in cases in the town late last year and during the current, highly successful, vaccine roll-out.

He's also been quite good on the death of HRH, the Duke of Edinburgh.

He conveys a certain gravitas in this role – and puts me in mind of Admiral D'Ascoyne played by Alec Guinness in Kind Hearts and Coronets, although, of course, that did end well, did it?

In this 'good' mode, he is verily the 'people's mayor'.

However, there is another, darker and disciplinarian side to Maritime that seems to involve the wielding of a metaphorical cat o' nine tails. During Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting of Hadleigh Town Council, we see him in his 'bad' mode.

Viewers of Hadleigh Nub News will probably be familiar with his frequent partiality in dealing with the 'opposition' to his ruling Hadleigh Together party. Councillors who disagree with him are spoken over, if not shouted down, and then muted for good measure.

Now, Maritime seems to be going the full Captain Bligh. He is proposing to stifle what many would see as a legitimate role of councillors – the chance to ask questions and hold him and the Council to appropriate account.

It gets worse. Viewers may have read of Hadleigh Nub News's recent exclusive about Hadleigh Together councillor, Carol Schleip saying the most prejudiced things about ex-service personnel and their suitability for civilian roles.

As Derek Davis observed: "Concerned councillors called for the matter to be looked into to ascertain if prejudice had taken place but a motion to hold an investigation was defeated. Three Hadleigh Together councillors, including Cllrs Schleip and Beggerow, along with Cllr Minns voted against, while three independent councillors, Andrew Knock, Gordon McLeod and Gregg voted for, but Cllr Minns used his casting vote as chairman to quash the motion."

The slightest infraction by non-Hadleigh Together councillors results in them being told to walk the plank, whilst far more serious errors of judgment by his own side, sees Maritime going all avuncular, chuckling into his beard 'well boys will be boys, even if they are Carol Schleip' and opening a new bottle of Havana Club.  Remember ShootingGate?

Short of blowing up the Guildhall, it seems Maritime is giving a free pass to his fellow Hadleigh Together group and that is surely neither healthy for them or our local democracy?.

Sad to report, but only in the last day has Maritime again been throwing his weight around. I have it on good authority that requests were made to various Hadleigh social media sites not to promote the Carol Schleip story.

And Derek Davis has found himself in receipt of an abrupt request from Maritime's town clerk to return the memory stick with the recording of councillor Schleip's outburst (it's not council property, by the way).

The problem seems to be that Hadleigh Together, originally a convenient wrapper for a number of independently-minded citizens keen to inject new ideas and greater transparency into the grim atrophy of its predecessor council, has morphed into a centralised ruling party, captained by Maritime.

As Generalissimo John Ward of Babergh will attest: one party with too large a majority quickly becomes intolerant and divisive. Generalissimo seems to have become a better leader since the Conservatives lost their overall majority in 2019,

The same might be true for Maritime. With six Hadleigh Town Council seats up for election in a month's time, this will be an opportunity for non-Hadleigh Together candidates to rebalance the sinking ship of democracy.

Failure to so do, might be the electoral equivalent of sodomy – somewhat painful (I'd imagine!)

It seems that come 6 May in order to keep Hadleigh together, it may be necessary to vote against Hadleigh Together.

*Despite false claims to the contrary - Rowland Taylor's column is written by a Hadleigh resident who is NOT employed by Nub News and is entirely their opinion.

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