Key Points
- Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council and Hacton Ward representative, has announced he will not stand in the local elections in May 2026 after 24 years in local politics.
- Morgon, who turns 65 in September 2026, cited family discussions over Christmas with his two children in their early 30s as a key factor in his decision to start a new chapter.
- He began as a Conservative councillor 24 years ago, joined the Cabinet soon after, but switched to Hornchurch Residents Association after four years, preferring its local focus over national party politics.
- Elected Council Leader in May 2022 after forming a coalition with Labour following the Havering Residents Association (HRA) group’s growth, including Conservative and Labour defections.
- The administration now runs independently after defections, facing financial challenges, but Morgon expressed pride in achievements and commitment to openness, honesty, transparency, and fair treatment of all councillors.
- Morgon highlighted the demanding nature of the role, working nearly seven days a week, and referenced a past stroke, emphasising health and more leisure time.
- Plans to move to Dorset to be closer to family, enjoy retirement, and travel.
- Thanks supporters and hopes for an HRA administration post-election, believing local parties best run local councils.
- Background: Elected Leader for 2022-2026 term by 27 votes to 22 against Conservative Damian White, with Labour withdrawing nomination.
- HRA formed from multiple Residents Associations in 2022, initially coalition with Labour, later minority administration after ending agreement in June 2024.
- Local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026 to elect all 55 Havering councillors.
Havering (East London Times) February 11, 2026 – Councillor Ray Morgon, the long-serving Leader of Havering Council, has confirmed his departure from local politics after 24 years, opting not to contest the May 2026 elections. His announcement marks the end of an era for the borough’s governance, particularly for the Havering Residents Association (HRA) which he has led since 2022. Speaking exclusively to the Havering Daily, Morgon detailed personal and professional reasons for his exit.
- Key Points
- Why is Ray Morgon Stepping Down Now?
- What is Ray Morgon’s Political Journey in Havering?
- How Did HRA Form the Administration Under Morgon?
- What Achievements Does Morgon Highlight as Leader?
- What are Ray Morgon’s Future Plans After Leaving Politics?
- Who Might Replace Ray Morgon as Council Leader?
- What is the Context of Havering’s Political Landscape?
Why is Ray Morgon Stepping Down Now?
As reported by the Havering Daily staff in their exclusive interview published on February 11, 2026, Councillor Ray Morgon stated:
“After 24 years as a councillor in Havering, I have decided it is time I hang up whatever Councillors hang up and not put myself forward at this May’s local elections.”
He explained that the decision followed months of reflection and discussions with his two children, both in their early 30s, over last Christmas.
Morgon, who will reach 65 in September 2026—a milestone year in his view—emphasised the need for a new chapter.
“I have been thinking about this over several months, and after discussing this further with my two children… I feel I need to start a new chapter in my life. This year I will reach in my view a milestone year when I hopefully become 65 in September,”
The councillor’s health concerns also played a significant role. He referenced a stroke suffered some years ago, noting the job’s intensity:
“Anyone doing this job will know it isn’t easy, and you have to give up so much of your life to do it. I currently work the best part of 7 days a week and have now reached the stage where I want to have more leisure time and as my children often remind me I have had a stroke not that many years ago and if I don’t look after my health that could happen again and I might not be so lucky with the outcome next time”.
What is Ray Morgon’s Political Journey in Havering?
Morgon’s career began 24 years ago as a Conservative councillor for Hacton Ward. “24 years ago, I joined as a Conservative councillor and was soon in the Cabinet,” he recounted to the Havering Daily. However, after four years, he switched allegiances:
“However, after four years I decided to become a Hornchurch Residents Association councillor as I felt being part of a national party is not where I wanted to be and I liked the way the Resident’s Association operated and what they stood for”.
Official council records confirm his rise. In May 2022, at the Council meeting, a motion from the Havering Residents Associations Group proposed:
“That Councillor Ray Morgon be elected to the office of Leader of the Council for the municipal years 2022 – 2026”.
This passed with 27 votes to 22 for Conservative Damian White, after Labour withdrew their nomination for Councillor Keith Darvill without division.
Havering Residents Association evolved from multiple local Residents Associations rebranded in 2022, as noted in political analysis by Chris Dawson of Havering Blog on April 13, 2024: “Ray Morgon cobbled an administration together from Havering’s many Residents’ Associations (RAs) in 2022. They were rebranded Havering Residents’ Association”.
How Did HRA Form the Administration Under Morgon?
Initially, HRA partnered with Labour post-2022 elections, where Conservatives were largest but short of majority. Wikipedia’s entry on the 2026 Havering election states:
“The Havering Residents Association (HRA) entered into a leadership coalition with the Labour Party, with Ray Morgon (HRA, Hacton) as council leader”.
Defections bolstered HRA, including Conservatives like Sarah Edwards, Jacqueline McArdle, Sue Ospreay, Robby Misir, John and Philippa Crowder, and Christine Smith. Dawson observed:
“Sarah Edwards, Jacqueline McArdle and Sue Ospreay joined HRA a few weeks after being elected as Conservatives in 2022… This makes it seven Conservatives fleeing their party since 2022”.
By June 2024, the coalition ended. As per Wikipedia on Havering Council:
“With only Labour leader Keith Darvill left representing his party in the cabinet, the HRA decided on 3 June 2024 to end the agreement and govern as a minority administration. Darvill criticised the HRA for ‘populism and empty gesture petty politics’. Council leader Ray Morgon told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the end was ‘inevitable’ but had ‘expected there’d be a rift next year’”.
A Labour councillor also defected, allowing HRA to run solo, per Morgon.
What Achievements Does Morgon Highlight as Leader?
Morgon expressed pride despite financial woes.
“It was a privilege for me that after years in opposition, and some of those years as Leader of the Opposition, I was elected as Leader of Havering Council in May 2022 after we formed the Havering Resident’s Association group, and working with the Labour group, we had the numbers to form an Administration. Following the defection of several Conservative Councillors and a Labour Councillor, we have for some time now been running the Administration on our own,”
“Since taking on this role, I have to say it has been great working with colleagues and officers despite the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in with our finances. I am proud of what we have achieved despite these difficulties. From day one I was always clear that we would be an open, honest and transparent Administration and that all Councillors would be treated fairly and equally and with respect. I believe all of these objectives have been achieved,”
Morgon added to the Havering Daily.
Recent coverage, such as Havering Blog’s January 25, 2026, post on a council meeting, noted pressures: “Ray Morgon has been badly let down by Graham Williamson who should have had urgent meetings during September 2025 to discuss the consequences of the motion”, highlighting ongoing budget strains.
What are Ray Morgon’s Future Plans After Leaving Politics?
Family and retirement beckon.
“I certainly feel I want to be closer to family and plan to move to Dorset in a place of my own to do so. I am already actively looking at this and look forward to spending more time with my daughter and son, as well as being able to enjoy my retirement and see a bit more of the world,”
He remains optimistic for Havering.
“I would like to thank everyone for their help and support over the years and hope that whatever happens at the election that the best interests of the borough are always kept in mind when forming an Administration. Of course, I hope that it is another HRA Administration, as I believe a local party runs a local Council in the best way”.
Who Might Replace Ray Morgon as Council Leader?
No successor named yet. HRA’s structure, with figures like John Tyler sitting independently and internal tensions in wards like St Andrew’s (Paul Middleton, Gerry O’Sullivan, Bryan Vincent), suggests challenges. Dawson queried:
“Is HRA strong enough to impose discipline on these apparently warring factions? Voters will be consulted in 2026”.
The 7 May 2026 election will elect all 55 seats.
What is the Context of Havering’s Political Landscape?
Havering’s politics feature fluidity, with Conservatives losing ground amid defections. Morgon’s era saw HRA fill the vacuum post-2022, as per official minutes. Past roles include opposition leadership and budget discussions, like a YouTube video where “Leader of the opposition Cllr. Ray Morgon discusses the Havering Residents Association alternative budget with the Havering Daily”.
Facebook posts echoed the news:
“Havering’s Leader of the Council-Councillor Ray Morgon is quitting politics after 24 years as the Hacton Ward Councillor”.
Columns by Morgon in Havering Daily tag pages show ongoing engagement.
