Double Whammy From Community Minded Morson

Published on: 8 May, 2021
Updated on: 12 May, 2021

By David Reading

Ash Lib Dem Carla Morson scored a resounding double victory in the elections. First, she beat Conservative Nigel Manning to win the county council’s Ash Division seat, with a comfortable 2,025 votes to 1,326. Labour’s Peter Kimber came third with 276.

Then she won a seat as an Independent on Ash Parish Council, narrowly beating Conservative Murray Grubb Jnr, who conceded graciously. She polled 663 votes compared to Mr Grubb’s 639. The 12-member council has 11 Conservative councillors.

Ms Morson’s success dealt a serious blow for Cllr Manning, the parish council chairman and a borough councillor. Historically, friction has lingered between them, exacerbated by remarks Cllr Manning made last month at an online pre-election Q&A session with the three county candidates.

The session appeared to have ended amicably until the final few seconds, when Cllr Manning, apparently not realising his microphone was still live, made a cutting personal remark. Residents viewing thought this was directed at Ms Morson and fierce criticism of Cllr Manning erupted on social media.

This was not the first time. Last September, when Ash Parish Council met online to select a new member, there were two candidates, Ms Morson as an Independent and Tory supporter Bill Cole.

After Mr Cole was co-opted, he directed what was perceived as a disrespectful comment at Ms Morson. From viewers there were cries of “Disgusting behaviour”, “Utterly appalling” and “Roll on the election”.

Ash residents will no doubt pay careful attention as Ms Morson takes up her role in the overwhelmingly Conservative parish council.

She has pledged to serve as an Independent, telling The Dragon: “Parish councils are definitely not the place for party politics.”

Ms Morson is well-known and popular in Ash Vale, in March last year founding the Coronavirus Support Group to help people hit hard by the pandemic.

She moved to Ash Vale when her father completed his Army service in 1976 and lives with her partner Paul and her elderly mother. Since voluntary redundancy from the MoD in 2011, she has been an adviser with Ash Citizens Advice and helps look after her mother and her nieces’ children while their parents are at work.

Last year, during Volunteers Week, Ms Morson was singled out for a special thank-you from Surrey Heath MP Michael Gove for her work in support of the community.

Share This Post