The youngest mayor in Britain – who is aged just 20 – has appointed his FATHER as his deputy.
Lib-Dem councillor Joe Harris was elected as civic leader in Cirencester, Glos earlier this month.
And he followed his selection on the town council by using his new powers to make his dad Mark his understudy.
Another councillor was nominated for the post but with the votes tied the deciding vote fell to the new mayor – who chose his father.
Joe said: “I need a deputy who shares my vision for the town and what we’ve got to do for the future.”
Joe became the youngest councillor in the UK when he was first elected in 2011 at the age of 18.
He is a councillor on Cotswold District Council and Cirencester Town Council and was also recently elected to Gloucestershire County Council.
His dad, aged 47, a fellow Lib-Dem, was elected to the town council in a by-election in January.
Speaking of the moment he watched his son select him as his deputy, Mark, 47, said: “He looked like one of those judges off the X Factor when they have to make a decision they really don’t want to have to make.
“I wouldn’t have held it against him if he hadn’t chosen me. We have had a few jokes. The banter has mostly been about how we are father and son and now he can discipline me.”
Joe, 20, said people were more fascinated by his age than the fact his dad was his deputy.
He said: “I think the novelty is more the fact they have a 20-year-old mayor. I don’t know what it is really going to be like having my dad as my deputy yet as it has only been a few weeks, but I’m sure it will have its moments.”
