Havering Residents Association- Foolish To Appoint New Leader In Case They Lose Their Seat.

The Havering Residents Association (HRA) says it would be “incredibly foolish” to appoint a new leader before the local elections in case they lost their seat writes Sebastian Mann, local democracy reporter.

Councillor Ray Morgon is the current head of the party and became leader of the council in 2022, when the HRA entered a ruling coalition with Labour.

In February, he announced he would step down after the May elections – citing health concerns and a wish to retire in Dorset and no successor has yet been appointed.

Councillor Gillian Ford, chair of the HRA and deputy leader of Havering Council, said: “Councillor Ray Morgan has been the group leader and leader of the council for the last four years and we would like to recognise that and thank him for his service to Havering over the last 24 years.

“Havering Residents Association will not be making any announcements as to who the next leader will be until after the elections on 7th May.

“It would be incredibly foolish to announce a leader, only for them to lose their seat.”

The HRA currently runs the council as a minority administration, holding 25 seats – three shy of a majority. Its coalition with Labour bitterly dissolved in mid-2024 following a number of defections.

The Conservatives form the official opposition with 14 seats and Reform now has a presence in the council after ex-Tory councillors Keith Prince, Robert Benham and Christine Vickery crossed the floor earlier this year.

The HRA says it is politically independent and its administration operates “without Westminster controls,” unlike town hall controls run by Conservatives or Labour, for example.

More than 300 candidates will be standing in the elections on 7th May.

The HRA, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Reform will all field a full slate of 55 candidates across all 20 wards.

Havering is understood to be one of Reform’s four main targets in London, after the party won control of six county councils in last year’s separate round of local elections.

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