Henley-on-Thames mayor criticised for turning up to cadet parade in Hawaiian shirt and shorts
Tom Buckley says his informal outfit was a deliberate challenge to expectations after complaints from residents and local paper
The newly appointed mayor of Henley-on-Thames faced criticism after attending a parade of Royal Marine, army and air cadets in what residents described as casual clothing: a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, trainers and no socks.
Tom Buckley, a town councillor who was photographed with cadets outside Henley town hall last week, defended his choice, saying his attire was part of a wider challenge to entrenched expectations of civic office. Local newspaper the Henley Standard reported it had received almost a dozen complaints about the mayor’s outfit.
A number of residents posted sharply worded comments on social media after the photos circulated. One commenter on the Henley Standard’s Facebook page wrote, "Lack of respect. These teens have worked hard. They have to have clean boots and uniform the least he could have done was wear something more appropriate. Get a grip Mayor and dress properly in a suit and tie." Another offered to put the mayor in touch with Savile Row connections to assist his wardrobe; Buckley said the offer was "kind but completely inappropriate."
Buckley told the local paper that responding to criticism via letters or social media amounted to "trolling" and said his work experience in retail IT had shown him that wearing a tie had never made someone perform better. "Somebody said to me, 'you wear the [mayoral] chains or the chains are going to wear you' — and I refuse to let the chains wear me," he said.
He also said event organisers complete forms that specify how he should dress and that he had not been informal at events where formal attire was requested. Buckley added that the mayoral robe is worn only four times a year—at mayor-making, Remembrance Sunday, the civic service and the Christmas lights switch-on—and that it should be treated with respect.
Buckley and his wife, Claire, replied directly to some of the social media comments. Claire Buckley asked a critic, "What have you done for your community recently? Perhaps a little self-reflection might be necessary before you throw cruel insults around on social media," while the mayor challenged the legitimacy of some complaints, suggesting some critics did not live in Henley.
The cadets photographed with Buckley will take part in future ceremonial duties in the town, including Remembrance Sunday. The incident has prompted debate among residents about standards of dress for holders of largely ceremonial civic office and the expectations of those who perform and attend formal community events.
Reporting on the episode was led by the Henley Standard and later covered by wider outlets. Buckley’s comments framed the dispute as part of a larger conversation about how civic roles are conducted and how social media is used to register public disapproval.
No local council sanctions or formal complaints have been reported publicly following the photographs and comments. The town remains scheduled to proceed with its forthcoming civic calendar, including a remembrance ceremony that typically involves uniformed cadets and the mayor’s participation.