Greens say Labour leader '˜ousted by his own divided party'

Labour leader Cllr Morgan announced last night (February 26) that he was resigning from his role.

The move comes ahead of the 2019 council elections, and local Labour groups will soon be selecting their candidates for each council ward.

The majority of the seats on the city’s three constituency party executive committees are held by members of Momentum, a Corbyn-supporting faction of the Labour Party.

But Cllr Morgan is seen as coming from the more centrist ‘Progress’ wing of the party.

Phélim Mac Cafferty, convenor of the Green Group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Labour’s council leader has been ousted by his own divided party. But look around the city and signs of Labour’s self-implosion are everywhere. Graffiti, grime and litter have spiralled out of control. Plans for the Royal Pavilion are in tatters. School catchments reversed after huge public outcry. Despite pledging to end rough sleeping, Labour has failed to get a grip on homelessness, as temperatures plummet.”

The city’s two Labour MPs took to Twitter last night to praise the outgoing council leader.

Peter Kyle, Labour’s MP for Hove, said: “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.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: “Warren should take credit for leading a good socialist council, first Labour Council in Brighton and Hove in over eight years which sets strong foundations for socialist policies going forward.”

Soon after the announcement of Cllr Morgan’s resignation, his Labour colleague Daniel Yates had thrown his hat in the ring as a contender to succeed the council leader.