Galway Mayor Moves to Abolish ‘His Worship’ Title Amid Controversy

UPDATE: Galway City Mayor Mike Cubbard is taking a bold step to modernize the city’s political language by proposing the abolition of the term His Worship from the mayoral title. Cubbard, who has served as mayor three times before the age of 40, plans to present his motion to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) in a meeting scheduled for later this week.

Cubbard argues that the term is outdated and does not reflect the approachable nature of modern leadership. “It’s the one title I do not like; ‘His Worship,’” he stated emphatically. “If there was one thing I would do, it would be to get rid of it. It’s too formal.” He aims to rally support from the Chairs of each Strategic Policy Committee to advance this change.

This proposal comes at a time when public representatives face increasing scrutiny and pressure. Cubbard, a proud Independent, emphasizes that the outdated title adds unnecessary formality to public engagements. “I have asked for it not to be used to introduce me at public events. Mayor of Galway, Mike Cubbard is enough for me,” he asserted.

Cubbard, who first took office in 2019, reflects on his unique position as the only individual in Ireland to hold the title of Mayor three times before reaching 40. He acknowledges the surreal nature of his achievements but also recognizes the challenges faced by local politicians. “The public assumes we are all full-time politicians, with two or three staff behind us,” he explained. “People don’t understand the difference between a Councillor, Senator, TD, and Minister.”

Despite the challenges, including a lack of office space and administration support for Councillors, Cubbard remains committed to his role. He is particularly proud of his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he adapted to unprecedented circumstances to serve the community effectively.

Cubbard also addresses the personal toll of public life, stating, “If you are in the public eye, you are a punchbag, no matter what.” This sentiment resonates deeply, as he acknowledges the emotional impact of online criticism and the need to protect his family from public scrutiny. “Some feel they own you and there are no boundaries,” he lamented.

As he gears up for his upcoming term, Cubbard is focused on empowering youth and enhancing public safety. He plans to introduce a youth-led council debate and increase water safety measures in Galway. “I want to give young people a voice; they can be what they want, when they want,” he emphasized.

Cubbard has already begun collaborating with the new President of University of Galway, Professor David J Burn, to develop water safety presentations for students starting this September. His goal is clear: to ensure young voices are heard and their safety is prioritized.

With this progressive initiative and Cubbard’s commitment to reducing political formality, the upcoming meeting of the CPG could mark a significant shift in Galway’s political landscape. Stay tuned as this story develops.