Ray Morgon cobbled an administration together from Havering’s many Residents’ Associations (RAs) in 2022.1 They were rebranded Havering Residents’ Association. His second coup was a coalition with Labour. He’d filled the power vacuum left by the Conservatives and took power
And then the Merry-Go-Round began.
Sarah Edwards, Jacqueline McArdle and Sue Ospreay joined HRA a few weeks after being elected as Conservatives in 2022. Ray Morgon doesn’t care why. What’s important is they landed in HRA. The voters of Rainham weren’t consulted.
John Tyler is a Refusenik. He dislikes Labour and didn’t join the coalition, opting for ‘independence’ (or at least that’s how the story goes). Cranham is a hotbed of dissatisfaction. Phillip Ruck left HRA creating a political party2 with John. He wants the Finance cabinet post and won’t get it, so why not rock the boat? The voters of Cranham weren’t consulted.
Robby Misir joined HRA after many years as a Conservative councillor. The end of Damian White’s pot-of-gold politics might have been a push factor. Who knows? Could self-interest have motivated him? The voters of Marshalls and Rise Park weren’t consulted.
St Andrew’s ward has stopped being boring. Paul Middleton, Gerry O’Sullivan and Bryan Vincent have fallen out. Paul isn’t in RA newsletters any more but remains in the cabinet. Is HRA strong enough to impose discipline on these apparently warring factions? Voters will be consulted in 2026.
Addendum
Three Romford Conservatives have joined HRA, this week, to escape that toxic zone. They are husband and wife team John and Philippa Crowder along with Christine Smith. Is this a reverse take-over by Romford who lust for power but can’t get it? This makes it seven Conservatives fleeing their party since 2022.
Notes
1 HRA = Havering Residents Association
2 Cranham Residents Association Independent Group
Politics in Havering 
There is much wrong with what you have written Chris. However, there is no point in getting factual information is there?
I could correct you, but I won’t.
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Thank you for your comment.
I wish you would. This reflects what I’ve heard from several sources. If it’s not true then I’d like to correct the blog.
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Re the Conservative defections, is it about power, or he strange personal dynamics of Romford Conservatives? Especially with the cult leader back in action.
The last St Edwards leaflet has unpersoned 2/3 of the ward councillors.
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Romford Conservatives have turned into a cult. They have absolutely not learned the lesson that local elections have offered to them. Havering is, apparently, out of step with them. After four coalition administration with RAs in 20 years they should have learned that right-wing positions don’t work.
Additionally the Tories nationally are in meltdown with two scandals in the last fortnight.
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