Southend councillor Ric quits ‘failed’ Lib Dems

10:00am Friday 20th July 2012 in Castle Point

A MAVERICK Lib Dem Southend councillor is quitting the party, claiming his local colleagues are “lacking in vision”.

Ric Morgan, a Lib Dem member for Prittlewell for the past five years, has resigned, firing a damning broadside at its leadership. As the writer and broadcaster, known in the council chamber for his outspoken views, quit, he attacked group leader Graham Longley ’s “dictator-like” style and complained about the group’s lack of vision.

Speaking last night, Mr Morgan said he would continue on the council, effectively sitting as an independent, though in fact, he had joined the Liberal Party.

He added: “I have become completely disillusioned with the Lib Dem group in Southend and the way it is run.

“Mr Longley’s dictator-like attitude has allowed the Tories to retain control of the council when that was not what the public voted for.”

A former Echo columnist, Mr Morgan was first elected in Prittlewell in 2007 and retained his seat with a convincing majority last year.

He has campaigned vigorously on issues including council parking restrictions in streets near Southend Hospital and teaching standards in schools.

Over the years, he also became known for having strong views on what he felt was his party’s lack of policies for the town.

May’s council elections left the Tories with no overall majority in the council chamber for the first time in 12 years. Mr Morgan urged the three opposition groups to work together to take control of the council away from the Tories.

Labour members and nine out of ten Independent councillors voted for a change, but Mr Longley ordered the Lib Dem group to abstain, allowing the Tories to continue.

Mr Morgan was the sole Lib Dem to ignore the instruction.

After announcing his resignation, Mr Morgan said: “I will no longer be part of a group which has failed the public and is completely lacking in vision.”

Comments (7)

10:37am Fri 20 Jul 12

lucy10 says...

WELL DONE MR MORGAN DONT LIKE LIB DEM
WELL DONE MR MORGAN DONT LIKE LIB DEM lucy10

11:05am Fri 20 Jul 12

fletch12107 says...

Nice to see someone speak out about what really goes on inside the council chambers. The councillors that were swayed by Longley to abstain should hang their heads in shame. We elect people to be leaders not sheep.
Nice to see someone speak out about what really goes on inside the council chambers. The councillors that were swayed by Longley to abstain should hang their heads in shame. We elect people to be leaders not sheep. fletch12107

12:32pm Fri 20 Jul 12

southendshrimper says...

he attacked group leader Graham Longley ’s “dictator-like” style and complained about the group’s lack of vision.
Thats the lame dems for you & Graham "failed millennium clock" Longley down to a tea.
Mind you don't think jayman will likw this news one of his beloved lame dem mp's going.
he attacked group leader Graham Longley ’s “dictator-like” style and complained about the group’s lack of vision. Thats the lame dems for you & Graham "failed millennium clock" Longley down to a tea. Mind you don't think jayman will likw this news one of his beloved lame dem mp's going. southendshrimper

1:34pm Fri 20 Jul 12

Lefty Cyclist Type says...

I don't blame him. The LibDems have proven themselves to be spineless craven and power hungry. They have sold out their principles to hang on to power. There can be no other explanation for their failure to dissolve the coalition in the face of Cameron's wholesale assault on the NHS, the welfare state, the poor, the sick, the elderly.

No-one in their right mind will ever vote LibDem again, either locally or nationally.
I don't blame him. The LibDems have proven themselves to be spineless craven and power hungry. They have sold out their principles to hang on to power. There can be no other explanation for their failure to dissolve the coalition in the face of Cameron's wholesale assault on the NHS, the welfare state, the poor, the sick, the elderly. No-one in their right mind will ever vote LibDem again, either locally or nationally. Lefty Cyclist Type

5:42pm Fri 20 Jul 12

Alekhine says...

Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:
I don't blame him. The LibDems have proven themselves to be spineless craven and power hungry. They have sold out their principles to hang on to power. There can be no other explanation for their failure to dissolve the coalition in the face of Cameron's wholesale assault on the NHS, the welfare state, the poor, the sick, the elderly. No-one in their right mind will ever vote LibDem again, either locally or nationally.
Agreed.

You have forgotten the introduction of fees for higher education which they were against in their manifesto but then changed their minds when they got a sniff of power.

Only a short time before they will be consigned to the scrap heap and if Europe continues the way it is Cleggy will not even have a cushy job after he retires.
[quote][p][bold]Lefty Cyclist Type[/bold] wrote: I don't blame him. The LibDems have proven themselves to be spineless craven and power hungry. They have sold out their principles to hang on to power. There can be no other explanation for their failure to dissolve the coalition in the face of Cameron's wholesale assault on the NHS, the welfare state, the poor, the sick, the elderly. No-one in their right mind will ever vote LibDem again, either locally or nationally.[/p][/quote]Agreed. You have forgotten the introduction of fees for higher education which they were against in their manifesto but then changed their minds when they got a sniff of power. Only a short time before they will be consigned to the scrap heap and if Europe continues the way it is Cleggy will not even have a cushy job after he retires. Alekhine

1:53am Sun 22 Jul 12

A Dermot says...

Longley is an inept failure.
Longley is an inept failure. A Dermot

7:15pm Sun 22 Jul 12

southendshrimper says...

Wrongley oops sorry longley could not organize a pi55 up in a brewery!!!!
Wrongley oops sorry longley could not organize a pi55 up in a brewery!!!! southendshrimper

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