It's difficult to overstate how unique Keith's political position is. He's a councillor for both the GLA and Havering.1 Conservative Central Office parachuted Keith into Havering because it needs political maturity. Keith is a veteran of local politics and will inject realism into Romford Conservatives. They've lost power after 20 years, which is ominous. Lost power in a Conservative heartland!2
Keith was elected 33 years ago as a Havering councillor. He moved to Redbridge, became Leader and effortlessly slid into the GLA in 2016.3 In 2022 he ousted Damian White from Squirrels Heath ward. Damian saw it coming and finessed the attack by shifting to Havering-atte-Bower ward. He then politically manipulated naïve new councillors4 from Rainham, winning the 2022 Conservative leadership election. A triumph of political manoeuvering.
Game, Set and Match to Damian.
It was temporary.5 Keith won the group election in 2023 and Damian is yesterday's man. Keith believes he'll solve Romford's 'problem' with time to spare. He's a GLA councillor with 400,000+ constituents, a Havering councillor, and Leader of the Conservatives. Superman?
At Annual Council Keith misunderstood procedure. A blip? Havering needs a strong Opposition to keep HRA/Labour on their toes.
Notes
1 (a) Register of Interests for Havering Council mgConvert2PDF.aspx (havering.gov.uk)
(b) Register of Interests for the GLA Keith Prince - Register of interests | London City Hall
2 Julia Lopez and Andrew Rosindell have huge majorities.
3 Roger Evans was GLA member from 2000 to 2016.
4 They decamped joining the HRA after a few weeks reducing the Conservatives to 20 councillors. They are Sarah Edwards, Jacqueline McArdle and Sue Ospreay.
5 See Havering Councillor: Damian White (Havering-atte-Bower) – Politics in Havering
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