Wikipedia

Merton Park Ward Residents Association

Merton Park Ward Residents Association (MPWRA) is a residents association, active in the Merton Park ward. The MPWRA has two councillors on Merton London Borough Council, and for this purpose is registered as the political party Merton Park Ward Independent Residents.[1]

Merton Park Ward Residents Association
Merton Park Ward Independent Residents
LeaderEdward Foley
Founded1989 (1989)
Merton London Borough Council
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Website
www.mertonpark.org.uk

History

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The MPWRA was formed in 1989 in order to contest the October 1989 Merton Park by-election, caused by the resignation of a Conservative councillor. The MPWRA opposed the proposed extension of the A24 relief road across a corner of the Merton Park Conservation Area, which required the demolition of several Victorian houses.[1][2] At the by-election, Bridget Smith was elected for the MPWRA; this hung the council.[2] In the following year's borough general election, the MPWRA gained all three council seats of the Merton Park ward, becoming the third-largest party on the council.[1] The A24 relief road was not extended.[2]

The MPWRA held every seat in the ward in all subsequent elections, although the number of seats for the ward was reduced to two ahead of the 2022 elections.[3] After the 2010 elections, the MPWRA provided support for a minority Labour administration until Labour regained a majority at the 2014 elections.[4][5] Following seat gains for the Liberal Democrats on other wards at the 2018 elections, the MPWRA became the fourth-largest party on the council.[6]

Since its founding, the MPWRA has campaigned for the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital and the regeneration of Morden's town centre.[2] The MPWRA publishes a quarterly local publication known as Forum.[2]

Election results

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Election Seats Votes Borough-wide result Councillors
# % in ward ± % in borough Position Administration 1 2 3
1990[7] 3 5,567 51.1% n/a 3.1% Increase 3rd Labour Bridget Smith Dese Child Neville Beddoe
1994[8] 3 5,860 59.3% Increase8.2% 3.6% Steady 3rd Labour
1998[9] 3 4,415 52.4% Decrease6.9% 3.4% Steady 3rd Labour John Nelson Jones
2002[10] 3 4,334 54.1% Increase1.7% 3.4% Steady 3rd Labour Jillian Aston Peter Southgate
2006[11] 3 4,815 50.0% Decrease4.1% 3.0% Steady 3rd Conservative minority Karin Forbes Krysia Williams
2010[12] 3 7,572 53.0% Increase3.0% 2.9% Steady 3rd Labour minority John Sargeant
2014[13] 3 6,222 63.7% Increase10.7% 3.7% Steady 3rd Labour Edward Foley
2018[6] 3 5,898 56.7% Decrease7.0% 3.3% Decrease 4th Labour Dickie Wilkinson
2022[14] 2 5,898 59.9% Increase3.2% 2.1% Steady 4th Labour Stephen Mercer
2026 2 Labour

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Merton Park Ward Residents Association". mertonpark.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Forum Issue No. 40" (PDF). Autumn 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "LGBCE | Merton | LGBCE Site". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  4. ↑ "The particularities of Merton | Dave Hill". TheGuardian.com. 18 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Labour Win Majority on Merton Council". www.wimbledonsw19.com. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  6. 1 2 "Merton Park Ward Election Results 2018". Merton Council. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  7. ↑ Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael. London Borough of Merton Election Results 1964-2010 (PDF). Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  8. ↑ Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael. "London Borough of Merton Election Results 1964-2010" (PDF). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "Merton Council Elections 1998" (PDF). Merton Electoral Services. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  10. ↑ "London Borough of Merton Election Results - May 2002" (PDF). Merton Council. May 2002. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Merton Council Elections 2006" (PDF). Merton Electoral Services. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "Merton Council Election Results 2010". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  13. ↑ "Merton Council Election Results 2014". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  14. ↑ "Merton Park Ward Election Results 2022". Merton Council. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
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