Havering Council elects new leader

Cllr Ray Morgon is the new leader of Havering Council

The head of the Havering Residents Association has been elected as the new leader of Havering Council.

Councillor Ray Morgon beat the Conservative incumbent Damian White by 27 votes to 22 at a council meeting last night. 

It is the first time since 1997 that the council will be led by someone who is not a Conservative or Labour politician and only the second time in its entire history. 

Mr Morgon said he would announce his cabinet in due time. 

The Labour councillor for Beam Park, Trevor McKeever, has been elected as the new Mayor of Havering. He defeated the Conservative candidate, Cllr Christine Vickery, by 28 votes to 25. 

Outgoing Mayor, Cllr John Mylod, hands over the chains to our new Mayor, Cllr Trevor McKeever. There will now be a short recess before the meeting hands over to Mayor McKeever. pic.twitter.com/pijEMLg9ME

— Havering Council (@LBofHavering) May 25, 2022

Mr McKeever was nominated by Cllr Keith Darvill who praised him for his past work with the London Fire Brigade. He said Mr McKeever is an active member of the community who supported people during the Covid pandemic. 

Cllr Gillian Ford said the HRA had “made history” by taking control of the council. 

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