A town councillor says his wife’s happiness is more important after he stepped down to allow her to enter an annual flower show.
Tony Hewitt has lived in Ferryhill, County Durham, with his wife Rita for seven years and said they take delight entering the annual Ferryhill in Bloom competition.
He was appointed to Ferryhill Town Council on 1 May, representing Reform UK, but as it judges the contest he decided to resign when it became clear she could not compete after “working hard” all year.
Mr Hewitt said some people had challenged him over his decision but he replied: “She loves her garden.”
Last year, the couple came first in the contest for their front garden and second for their back.
Mr Hewitt said: “I don’t have a lot to do with the garden at all, it is all my wife’s doing.
“She grows plants from seed and brings them on in the greenhouse – it is her baby.”
The 65-year-old said he applied to join the town council to “do something for the community”. He is already chairman of the residents’ association.
“There weren’t enough applicants to hold an election, I was just appointed,” he said.
“There are 17 councillor places for Ferryhill Town Council and at the moment there are only seven councillors.”
Mr Hewitt had only been in the post for a month and attended one meeting before he was told his wife, 77, would not be able to compete. He stood down on 26 June.
“When I found out that this year she wouldn’t get to put herself forward after all her hard work I thought I am not really losing anything by giving it up without even getting my feet under the table.”
Mr Hewitt said he fully understood the situation and said if a “councillor or a councillor’s wife won the competition then people could look at that and start wondering what is going on”.
Ferryhill Town Council said staff or elected members and their spouses may not enter competitions that it runs, adding “the appearance of any kind of favouritism could make members of the public lose confidence” in the council.
The results of Ferryhill in Bloom 2025 will be announced in September.