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The former leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, who dramatically quit Labour at the start of campaigning for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election, has joined the Green Party.

Cllr Sean Morgan, who represents Nelson, said he had become disillusioned with Labour and found the party’s values no longer matched those of “ordinary people”.

He said: “It has become increasingly evident over recent months that the Labour Party no longer represents the values of ordinary party members or indeed ordinary people in the country, which has caused me to question the ethics of remaining in the Labour Party.

“Reading the Green Party manifesto and listening to the Green Party Leader, Zack Polanski speaking, it soon became clear that there is a political home for people seeking a party focusing on a fairer society. Therefore, it was an easy decision to join the Green Party.”

Cllr Morgan’s ‘defection’ followed that of Robert James, the ex-leader of the Labour group on Carmarthenshire Council.

The announcements came during the Green Party’s Welsh conference on Saturday November 8. According to the party, its membership has tripled in over the past two months.

The Greens now has representation on ten of Wales’ 22 local authorities.

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter welcomed Cllr Morgan’s move, describing it as a sign of growing momentum for the party ahead of next year’s Senedd elections.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sean, our second high-profile Labour leader to join us this weekend. As Zack Polanski says, we are not here to criticise Labour, we are here to replace them. This truly demonstrates that we are the bold new voice that Wales so desperately needs.

“With the fully proportional Senedd voting system in May, this is another sign Greens will be pivotal in who runs the Welsh government next year.”

Cllr Morgan resigned as council leader and tore up his Labour membership in September, claiming the party had “lost its way” and “no longer listens to its grassroots members”.

At the time, he accused Welsh Labour of “fixing” the candidate selection process for the Caerphilly by-election, and said he would back Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle, who went on to win the seat, rather than Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe.

Cllr Morgan had been a Labour member since the age of 15 and led Caerphilly Council from 2022 until his resignation.

Welcome from the Green Party’s Caerphilly by-election candidate

Gareth Hughes, who stood for the party in last month’s Senedd by-election said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Sean has chosen to join the Greens. His long record of public service and deep commitment to the people of Caerphilly will be a huge asset to our growing local party.”

Mr Hughes confirmed that local Green Party membership has risen by more than 150 people since the by-election, describing it as “the biggest surge we’ve ever seen.”

“People are realising that the Greens offer an honest, practical alternative,” he said.

“Many long-time Labour supporters – and even some current councillors – have told us they’re ready to make the move. Sean’s decision shows that change is happening right here in Caerphilly.”