Two former Brighton Labour councillors join Independent Group

Two former Labour councillors in the Brighton and Hove City Council, including former council leader Warren Morgan, have both joined the Independent Group.

Warren Morgan, who quit the Labour Party last week after many decades of membership, announced his decision to join the new group and have become one of the group’s first representatives on a local level.

Morgan, councillor for the East Brighton ward, was joined by Michael Inkpin-Leissner, a councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer.

In a post on Twitter, Warren Morgan said that the Independent Group on the council would vote with the Labour Party on the Budget vote this week.

This morning, with Cllr Michael Inkpin-Leissner, I formally constituted @TheIndGroup on @BrightonHoveCC – possibly the first foothold in local government for the new group established in Parliament a week ago.

— Warren Morgan 🇪🇺 (@warrenmorgan) February 25, 2019

I have made it clear that we will vote with the @bhlabour Administration in this week's Budget and any other votes that arise. The balance of power rests with @BHGreens councillors in blocking or supporting any Conservative takeover.

— Warren Morgan 🇪🇺 (@warrenmorgan) February 25, 2019

The two Independent Group councillors will join 21 Conservatives, 19 Labour councillors and 11 Greens, with one seat vacant ahead of the elections in May.