27.02.18
Brighton city council leader becomes third to step down citing ‘left-wing pressure’
The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Warren Morgan, has taken the decision to step down from his position noting pressure from local left-wing groups.
Morgan, who represents the Labour and Cooperative group, has been leader of the authority for three years and said the opportunity had been the “privilege of his life.”
He plans to relinquish the position in May and step down as a councillor at the same time in 2019.
Morgan told the BBC that he had wanted to lead the council again into the next local elections but claimed that the local Labour Party “have made it clear they do not want me to do so.”
However, in his statement on the matter, he did not mention far-left group Momentum, which has been embroiled in controversy recently after the leaders of both Harlow and Haringey councils resigned their positions, citing pressure from the group.
Morgan did thank those who worked with him and applauded their achievements, saying: “Despite the enormous financial and infrastructure challenges facing the city council, leading it has been a role I have enjoyed and found hugely rewarding, even in only being able to achieve a fraction of what I would have wished to.
“None of what I have achieved as leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group over the past five years, or as council leader over the past three, have I achieved alone. I have been incredibly lucky to have has a group of friends, a team of talented councillor colleagues, and a set of dedicated council officers alongside me.”
In late January, Haringey leader Cllr Claire Kober announced she would stand down from her position due to a dispute with the Labour Party about a controversial housing project and complaints that Momentum was trying to influence her future reselection.
Similarly, Cllr Jon Clempner, the leader of Harlow Council, resigned his position earlier this month after saying Momentum had verbally abused him as he left the Labour Party conference in Brighton last year, and had pursued an “active campaign” against his leadership.
Top image: leighcol
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