PEACE descended on the council chamber for the first time in a year as Ealing's new mayor was appointed.
Agreement is rare among the squabbling ranks of the three political parties but in the annual full council meeting on Tuesday all were happy to elect John Gallagher for the job.
The South Acton Labour councillor has already had good practice for the role, having been deputy mayor for the past year. And before stepping up to his promotion he appeared to blush almost as red as his robes as fellow councillors of all colours stepped up to heap praise upon him.
Fellow ward councillors, Yvonne Johnson and Mik Sabiers were the first to speak. Ms Johnson describing him as a role model in following up community concerns, pointing out plenty of council officers would be glad to see him take a break from his normal duties in the next 12 months.
While Mr Sabiers added: “Her doesn't go around broadcasting what he does but he's a proper nuts and bolts councillor who gets things done.”
Others remarked on his deep knowledge of the constitution and workings of the council as well as the history of the area having been involved in local democracy since he became the borough's last serving alderman in 1978.
Mr Gallagher promised to keep the wheels of democracy running smoothly, as mayor he will now chair council meetings, and promised to stifle “windbags who can't keep to time.”
He chose the west London branch of Epilepsy Action, Community Activities Project Ealing (CAPE), which helps people with mental illness, and the Chiswick branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as his charities.
His long-time friend Pauline Melson was made mayoress during the ceremony, held in front of about 60 invited guests who included MPs, the deputy mayor of London Richard Barnes and freemen of the borough.
Mr Gallagher will have a busy year ahead representing the council at events and will have a hard act to follow: the outgoing mayor Rajinder Mann raised a record £50,000 for his charities and attended an impressive 400 events.
Mr Mann said he would never forget the people he met during his time as mayor, adding: “I think we live in one of the best boroughs in the whole country.”
Councillor Mohammad Aslam was made deputy mayor.
