The results of an ballot to elect two new Sheriffs, one of the oldest offices in the City of London, have been announced.
Peter Cook and Alderman David Wootton were elected to the post and will be admitted into office in time to preside at the Election of the Lord Mayor on Tuesday 29 September.
Traditionally Sheriffs governed the City as the King’s representatives, and were responsible for collecting royal revenues and enforcing royal justice.
In 1385 the City’s Court of Common Council stipulated that future Lord Mayor’s should “have previously been Sheriff so that he may be tried as to his governance and bounty before he attains to the Estate of Mayor”. The post remains a pre-requisite to becoming Lord Mayor.
Results:
COOK, Peter Joseph Votes cast: 1199
OLIVER, Timothy Patrick Camroux Votes cast: 689
WOOTTON, Alderman David Hugh Votes cast: 1711
May I respectfully suggest that in the future when a contest looms it’s head provisions are made for a postal vote immediately and since that probably requires a change in the law please let’s put it in place where upon we should get a clearer and hopefully a more representative result and at the same time save cost and additional work for the corp. staff. regards, david c.