4:00pm Friday 30th July 2010
By Martin George
A veteran former councillor of 39 years has snubbed an invitation to become an honorary alderman of the borough, saying he is too young to quit local politics.
Steve Mama, who has stood in 13 elections and won 11, was the last Labour councillor in Kingstonm, until he lost his Norbiton seat in the May 2010.
The council traditionally offers former councillors who had served for at least 12 years the honorary status, but according to the letter of invitation “it is implict that anyone on whom such status was conferred would not be standing for election to Kingston Council again”.
In his response, Mr Mama said: “I am pleased to say that I am too young to quit local politics and must decline such a dubious honour. My 39 years as an elected Kingston councillor is sufficient status for the present.”
The 74-year-old former education officer said he was “not out of the fight”, and was considering standing for election again.
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