Havering’s Annual Council, 21st May 2025

Havering Council, local politics 1 Minute

The meeting saw the election of the mayor for 2025-6.1 Even though Havering’s mayoralty is non-executive, it has significant powers. Havering’s multi-party council means the mayor’s casting vote is decisive whenever there’s a tied vote. The principal duty of the mayor is as an ambassador for the council.

The meeting itself was riveting for political geeks. Speeches of congratulation to the out-going mayor, Gerry O’Sullivan, were gushing. Dilip Patel’s “amazing work”, Gillian Ford’s “incredible year” and Christine Vickery’s, “a lot of fun” give a flavour of the contributions. Gerry himself said it had been “wonderful”.

The meeting continued with Ray Morgon’s tour d’horizon, which stressed HRA’s achievements.

His devotion to lobbying is undiminished. Ray is lobbying for Fairer Funding for local authorities. He made a throwaway remark about the government loan, £100m+, which glossed over Havering’s financial disaster. The chances of a Conservative outer-London borough successfully lobbying for additional funding in the current economic situation is nil. Ray has a cast-iron case but that isn’t enough politically speaking.2 Ray remains a True Believer in lobbying.

Ray identified his transport successes achieved in the last year. Of especial note was the Gallows Corner renewal programme, the SuperLoop bus service and possibly Beam Park station. Interestingly the East Havering Data Centre isn’t a done deal but the reason why not wasn’t even hinted at.

His laboured references to Crystal Palace’s success didn’t entertain or inform. It was a relief, even for geeks, when the meeting ended after an hour or so.

Notes

1 The new mayor is Sue Ospreay, her deputy is Barry Mugglestone.

2 Havering’s Election: An Undemocratic Democracy? – Politics in Havering The political consequences of Austerity were felt by Havering’s two Conservative MPs who nearly lost their seats last year.

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12 thoughts on “Havering’s Annual Council, 21st May 2025”

  2. I was hopeful as “People’s Mayor” sounds a bit like “Populist Mayor” showing an intention to serve the people not the ruling class!

    If so, this could result in a very political Mayor promoting popular issues and not just a ceremonial Mayor agreeing with HRA administration policy.

    The previous Mayor had become a political not ceremonial Mayor when using his casting vote to pass HRA policy, but will the new Mayor go further?

    The Mayoral position can be a very influential position for an extrovert with something to say, but what is Sue minded to say?

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    1. Thank you for your comment

      Sue Ospreay doesn’t strike me as a political activist: apart from switching immediately after being voted in as a Conservative that is.

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  3. I agree not party political, but Sue is a flag waver and may go where others fear to tread, perhaps not even realising she’s entered no man’s land. I mean nowadays under the New Labour tyranny you can be jailed for truthful and intemperate words when condemning an injustice.

    To test this I contacted the Mayor about the council’s continued promotion of the mRNA Covid-2019 jab in 2025. This makes no sense as viruses mutate and due to adverse reactions, bringing the council (and so her Mayoralty) into disrepute.

    Sue kindly responded in a measured way and said, “I completely understand that this is a subject which continues to evoke strong and varied opinions. There are individuals who believe strongly in the benefits of the vaccine, just as there are those who question its necessity or safety. I believe it is important to respect individual choice and recognise that personal health decisions should ultimately remain with each person”.

    (No other councillor had responded on this matter and officers had informed me they are just following orders!

    However, Sue’s words about “individual choice” is reason alone for the council to stop promoting the medical intervention on behalf of Big Pharma, as the council are in no position to guarantee they are safe or ensure “informed consent” as this is a private matter between doctor and patient.

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    1. Thank you for your comment.

      “I completely understand that this is a subject which continues to evoke strong and varied opinions. There are individuals who believe strongly in the benefits of the vaccine, just as there are those who question its necessity or safety. I believe it is important to respect individual choice and recognise that personal health decisions should ultimately remain with each person”.

      Cllr Ospreay called the ‘Register of Interests’ form unreadable because it was like Shakespeare. And then answered none of the questions. I doubt she wrote this.

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  4. “I doubt she wrote this”. Nevertheless, do you agree it’s important to respect individual choice and recognise that personal health decisions should ultimately remain with each person, bearing in mind New Labour and New Conservative wanted to coerce and mandate the experimental Covid-2019 jab for everyone, irrespective of body size and medical history etc?

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  5. Mandates were imposed on care home workers and the government wanted to impose the mandate on NHS workers, but this was dropped.

    Did you support the mandate on care home workers and was you disappointed when the mandate on NHS workers was dropped, or did you think whatever the government proposed was for the best?

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