Reg is a veteran councillor.1 He was first elected 37 years ago when he represented South Hornchurch as a Resident Association (RA) member. In 1986 being an RA meant something. South Hornchurch was an RA fiefdom and councillors identified absolutely with their ward. Reg lived there in the heart of the community.
In 2006 he lost and retired from politics for eight years. Reg was 'recruited' by St. Andrew's RAs in 2014. It didn't matter that Reg lived in Rainham. He solved a problem. They needed someone to stand so that they had a full slate for the election. Reg was a *name* without any local connexions at all. RAs were beginning their transition into a political party, where what matters is the brand.
Reg's tour of Havering continued in 2018. The RA seat of Hacton needed a candidate. Reg stepped forward and was elected in his third RA ward. Once more he had no local connexions. It didn't matter. Reg was elected in 2018 and again in 2022.
Reg epitomises the change in the RAs. Resident Associations began with people like Barbara Matthews, his illustrious predecessor. The RAs have transformed into Havering's ruling party. The HRA Administration2 is the natural outcome of RAs accepting their position as the dominant political party in Havering. It's taken 37 years.
Notes
1 Councillor details - Councillor Reg Whitney | The London Borough Of Havering
2 HRA is the Havering Residents' Association, which formed the Administration in 2022 with the Labour Party as their junior partner.
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