In a stunning display of political self-sabotage, Councillor Dave Tiddlesworth has unintentionally passed a new law that effectively bans himself from holding any public office in the town of Whimbleton. The bizarre turn of events unfolded during a routine council meeting last Thursday, when a mix-up in paperwork led to the approval of the “Self-Disqualification Act.”
The act, originally intended to bar individuals with conflicts of interest from voting on certain zoning laws, was accidentally amended to include a clause excluding anyone named ‘David Tiddlesworth’ from running or serving in any elected position within Whimbleton. The mistake went unnoticed until Friday morning, when a junior council assistant, while cross-referencing names for an unrelated project, noticed the oddly specific restriction.
Attempts to contact Councillor Tiddlesworth for comment were initially unsuccessful, leading to widespread speculation about whether he had simply retired early or been caught in a temporal loop. Eventually, the Councillor responded with a statement expressing his bafflement. “I honestly have no idea how this happened,” he said. “I was just trying to pass a perfectly normal law about planning applications, and now I’m apparently banned from my own job. At least this explains why my office has been eerily quiet all morning.”
Legal experts have described the incident as “a rare case of legislative self-emasculation.” Professor Helen Snodgrass from the University of Nonsensical Law remarked, “It’s not every day you see a politician succeed so thoroughly in removing themselves from power. In fact, this might be the first time in history that a lawmaker has legislated their own exit.”
Council meetings have been temporarily suspended as the legal team scrambles to draft a repeal or amendment. However, political opponents are having a field day. Opposition leader Sally Greengrass remarked with a sly grin, “Dave’s always said he wanted to leave a legacy. Looks like he just left us a comedy show instead.”
Meanwhile, local residents are divided. Some see it as poetic justice for a politician known for questionable decisions, while others sympathize with Dave’s predicament. One resident quipped, “I guess he really did manage to pass a law with his name on it. Just wish he hadn’t banned himself from following through.”
As the town of Whimbleton navigates this unprecedented political faux pas, all eyes are on Councillor Tiddlesworth—should he find a legal loophole or a time machine, his term might not be over after all. Until then, the council chamber remains a place of laughter, confusion, and the occasional whispered, “How did Dave even manage this?”