Arthur Andersen partner in City of London election
An accountant its going into battle with two barristers tomorrow in an attempt to become an alderman of the City of London in the first election of its kind in 28 years.
The accountant candidate is Arthur Andersen’s head of personal tax, Ian Luder, well known at the firm for his tax expertise and bow ties.
They are contesting Farringdon Without, the largest ward in the City.
He told AccountancyAge.com: ‘This election will turn on whether practising solicitors and accountants have a higher propensity to vote than butchers and the like.’
His rivals are lawyers Julian Malins and Simon Walsh. The previous alderman in the ward was Sir Peter Drury Gadsden, who retired at 70.
According to the Evening Standard, the trio are ambitious to become Lord Mayor of London, a post so powerful that even Downing Street has avoided making any real changes to the City Corporation despite promises of reform, the Evening Standard said.
Tomorrow’s election will see one of the three candidates join the 25-strong Court of Aldermen. He will then have to be elected by this body to serve as a sheriff, a pre-condition for the office of Lord Mayor.
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