Brighton and Hove council leader resigns

Cllr Warren Morgan, who has been council leader for three years, local Labour leader for five, and a councillor for East Brighton for 15 years, announced his resignation this evening (February 26).

This comes ahead of the Brighton and Hove City Council elections set to take place in 2019.

He said: "It has been the privilege of my life to have been given the opportunity to serve as leader of the place where I was born and which I call home. However that time must now come to an end.

"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."

After listing some of his achievements and highlights as council leader, he said: "Having spoken to colleagues over recent months I have now taken the decision to continue to serve as leader until Annual Council in May, but not seek re-election at the Labour & Co-operative Group Annual General Meeting in April. This will give my successor time to prepare for the city council elections in 2019, and set out their stall for what I believe will be a Labour victory and the first majority council for nearly twenty years.

"After fifteen years of representing East Brighton ward, I will also stand down as a councillor in May 2019.

"I’ve given the city my best efforts in service of my fellow residents. I would like to thank all those who have worked with me and supported me over the past five years, and I wish my successor well in taking on the immense and difficult challenges of the years ahead."

Peter Kyle, the Labour MP for Hove, tweeted: "I’m sad @warrenmorgan is stepping down as leader. He gave his life to Labour in our wilderness years & never stopped until we were in power delivering the change we talk so much about. Warren: you have been a better friend to Labour than we have to you. Thanks for your service."

Geoff Raw, Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive, said: “It’s been a great privilege to work with Cllr Morgan and I’m both grateful for and hugely impressed by his unswerving commitment to this council and the city.

“It’s ‘business as usual’ as we continue to deliver on our priorities and services for residents during this time of change.

“Annual Budget Council last week has given us a clear financial framework for 2018/19 and we’re finalising our plans on this basis; moving forward without interruption.”

To read a blog post by Warren Morgan on his decision to step down, click here.