Today was one of the most colourful and be-wigged elections you might ever see!
The mid summer meeting of Common Hall assembled today to elect two sheriffs of London, four ale conners, an auditor and two bridge masters. All under the Elections Act 1724! It is a rare election where it starts with a show of hands and only goes to a secret ballot poll if that fails to be accepted, for someone that advises on election law this was interesting to see in action. The voters are livery members of the 113 companies of london and their regalia gives it all colour. So what are these roles?
Ale conners are not about to con you out of a drink, far from it they exist to ensure you get good quality drinks: The ale-conner (sometimes aleconner or ale-kenner) is an officer appointed yearly to ensure the quality of bread, ale and beer as well as regulating the measures in which they were sold and their prices. The Sheriffs are a very ancient role and in the coming year they will be: Alderman Gregory Jones KC and David Chalk (taking office from Friday September 27th, 2024). The office of Sheriff is one of the oldest in existence and dates back to the Middle Ages. The Sheriffs’ modern-day duties include supporting the Lord Mayor in his or her civic duties and serving - both, at home and abroad - as ambassadors for the UK-based financial and professional services industry by promoting the UK as a place in which to do business. Based at the Old Bailey, the office is an integral part of the City’s support for the rule of law. Finally we had a contest for the Bridgemasters, a roll not contested in election for 100 years! The Bridgemaster role dates back to c.1200 and was confirmed in a charter of 1319.
