THE LONGEST serving member of the council has reflected on his time in office ahead of a nineteenth election campaign.

In May Stephen Murray will seek re-election to Epping Forest District Council for a tenth term, having first run in 1982.

After switching from the Loughton Broadway ward to Loughton Roding in 1998, Cllr Murray removed his Labour rosette in 2003 in protest of the Iraq war and has remained an independent ever since.

The 58 year-old said: “I am currently the longest serving councillor and I think the longest serving ever.

“I am what they call a father of the council.”

As he looks to complete his fourth decade in elected office, which includes 18 years on Loughton Town council which he currently vice-chairs and four unsuccessful General Election campaigns, Cllr Murray has cast his mind back to his political makings.

“I came from a political family,” he said.

“My dad was the general secretary of the Trade Union Congress. At first I didn't stand for office on a particular issue, but I was a member of the Labour party then.

“I left the party over the Iraq war. I just knew in my bones it was wrong. I had no other option, but it was still one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.”

Not tempted to return to the fold now that Jeremy Corbyn has steered Labour back towards Cllr Murray’s ‘union family’ roots, he believes Roding has been well served by his independence.

The semi-retired teacher continued: “I feel one of my roles as an independent is to keep a careful eye on how the majority group uses their majority.

“Over the years there are two things that come to mind in terms of particular successes.

“The campaign with the Parents Education Action Group to help secure Debden Park High School when the authorities closed far too many schools in 1987.

“We stopped parents having to send their kids to schools in Epping.

‘And another victory was stopping the moving of the post office to the back of a shop.”

With no plans to stop anytime soon, Cllr Murray believes one main issue will define the next few years of council life.

“The biggest question without doubt is whether the Local Plan is sound or not,” he added.

“My own view is that it is not and that our green lungs such as Jessel Green will not be under-threat.

“I am fighting for re-election in the area so we can get the best deal possible.”

Are you planning on contesting the Roding ward this May? Or are you a serving councillor with a story to tell? Email milo.boyd@newsquest.co.uk or call 07795 316211