Were Havering Voters Misled on Hexit? Reform UK Win 2026 Havering

Key Points

• Reform UK won control of Havering borough in May 2026 local elections, marking the party’s first-ever London council win with 39 of 55 seats
• The Havering Residents Association (HRA) lost power, dropping from 23 councillors to 14, becoming the official opposition
• “Hexit” refers to Havering exiting the Greater London Authority (GLA) to become independent
• The idea of Hexit was promoted by some Reform UK members during the May local elections
• The new council leader was “never much of a fan” of the Hexit idea and has delayed the proposal
• Opposition parties accuse Reform UK of potentially misleading local voters on the Hexit issue
• Reform UK has denied the charge of misleading voters
• Havering straddles London and south Essex, traditionally a Tory borough where “aspiring white middle classes” move when they outgrow Barking
• The 2026 London local elections produced “the most significant reshaping of borough politics in a generation”
• Labour’s dominance across inner London has ended, with nine previously Labour-controlled councils falling into no overall control

Havering (East London Times) June 17, 2026 – Reform UK has secured control of its first London borough council in a historic political shift, winning 39 of Havering’s 55 seats in the May 2026 local elections, but the party’s new council leader has effectively shelved the controversial “Hexit” proposal that some members promoted during the campaign, prompting accusations from opposition parties that voters may have been misled on the issue.

What Is Hexit and Why Did It Become a Local Election Issue?

You’ve probably heard of Brexit—but what about Hexit? As reported by the BBC London, that’s the idea of the borough of Havering exiting the Greater London Authority (GLA) and going it alone.

The concept became an issue that some within Reform UK talked up during the local elections in May, drawing parallels to the national Brexit debate but at a local borough level.

Havering is geographically独特, straddling London and south Essex, and is where

“the aspiring white middle classes go when they have outgrown Barking,”

according to London Bangla’s analysis of the borough. This positioning between London and Essex made the idea of leaving the GLA particularly resonant for some residents who felt the borough had distinct needs from the rest of Greater London.

How Did Reform UK Achieve This Historic Win?

A change in the political weather saw Reform UK win control of its first London borough in May, as it seized power from the Havering Residents Association, which had been running the council. With 39 of the borough’s 55 councillors occupied by Reform, the Havering Residents’ Association (HRA) are now the official opposition with 14 councillors, down from 23.

The Residents Association had 23 councillors and now have 14 – a reduction of 9, marking a significant political shift in the traditionally Tory borough. As reported by Sebastian Mann, local democracy reporter for The Havering Daily, “An historic night in Havering” as Reform UK won control of a London council for the first time ever with a majority of 39 out of 55 seats.

Havering is the first London council ever won by Reform, following a night of national upset for Labour and the Conservatives. The 2026 London local elections produced

“the most significant reshaping of borough politics in a generation,”

according to the London Councils Analysis (LCA).

Why Has the New Council Leader Delayed Hexit?

The new council leader, who was never much of a fan of the idea, has kicked it into the long grass, according to BBC London’s report on the development.

This decision to delay or postpone the Hexit proposal has become a source of tension within the newly formed Reform UK administration and between the party and opposition groups.

The leader’s reluctance on Hexit was evident before the election, as they were “never much of a fan” of the concept, suggesting internal divisions within Reform UK about the feasibility and desirability of the borough exiting the GLA.

What Are Opposition Parties Claiming About Voter Misrepresentation?

The delay of Hexit has prompted accusations from opposition parties that Reform UK may have misled local voters on the issue, a charge the party has denied.

The Havering Residents Association, now in official opposition, and potentially other opposition groups have raised concerns that Reform UK members who promoted Hexit during the campaign may have given voters false expectations about the party’s commitment to the proposal.

The accusation centers on whether Reform UK genuinely intended to pursue Hexit or whether the concept was used as a campaigning tool without serious backing from the party’s leadership, particularly the new council leader who held different views on the matter.

How Did Reform UK Respond to the Misleading Voters Accusation?

Reform UK has denied the charge of misleading voters, according to BBC London’s reporting. The party maintains that it did not misrepresent its position on Hexit during the election campaign, though the internal divisions within the party about the proposal have become apparent since taking control of the council.

The denial suggests that Reform UK believes the Hexit discussions during the campaign were legitimate political discourse rather than deceptive promises, and that the new council leader’s decision to delay the proposal reflects a prudent approach to governance rather than evasion of commitments.

What Does This Mean for London’s Political Landscape?

Post-May 7, it’s conceivable that five or even six parties could hold power across various councils in the city, transforming the previously uniform Labour stronghold—currently governing 21 boroughs—into a more diverse political quilt, according to BBC’s analysis of the London elections.

Labour’s dominance across much of inner London has come to an end, with nine previously Labour-controlled councils falling into no overall control, and the Green Party emerging as a serious political force in the capital’s urban core.

The Greens in Hackney, Lewisham, Waltham Forest, Haringey, Lambeth, Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Southwath either in control, are the kingmakers or will heavily influence decision-making over the next four years.

Reform UK’s victory in Havering represents part of this broader political transformation, marking the party’s entry into London local government and demonstrating that the capital’s political landscape is no longer dominated by a single party.

Background: The Development of Hexit and Reform UK’s Rise in Havering

The Greater London Authority (GLA) was established in 2000 as part of the devolution of power to London, creating a regional government structure covering all 32 London boroughs plus the City of London. The GLA oversees strategic matters including transport, policing, planning, and economic development across the capital.

Sporadic debates about borough independence or exit from the GLA have occurred over the years, particularly in boroughs that straddle the LondonEssex boundary or feel their interests are not adequately represented at the regional level.

Havering’s unique geographical position, straddling London and south Essex, has made it a natural candidate for such discussions.

How Did Reform UK Build Momentum in Havering Before the Election?

The Havering Residents Association (HRA) currently runs the council as a minority administration, holding 25 seats – three shy of a majority, according to pre-election reporting by Sebastian Mann.

Its coalition with Labour bitterly dissolved in mid-2024 following a number of defections, weakening the Residents Association’s position.

The HRA says it would be “incredibly foolish” to appoint a new leader before the local elections in case they lose their seat, according to The Havering Daily’s April 2026 analysis. This pre-election uncertainty may have contributed to the Residents Association’s vulnerability to Reform UK’s challenge.

Traditionally Havering has been a Tory borough, but the Conservatives lost all seats in the May 2026 election, according to London Bangla’s reporting.

The Havering Residents Association had 23 councillors and now have 14 – a reduction of 9, marking a significant decline in their political influence.

What Is Reform UK’s National Strategy for London Boroughs?

Reform UK’s victory in Havering marks the party’s first-ever London borough council win, representing a significant expansion of their political footprint.

The party has been targeting areas where traditional Conservative support has weakened and where residents feel disconnected from London’s regional government structures.

The promotion of Hexit during the campaign suggests Reform UK was attempting to differentiate itself from other parties by advocating for radical local government reform, even if internal party divisions existed about the proposal’s viability.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Havering Residents and Local Democracy

Havering residents are in for a “grim four years,” according to London Bangla’s editorial assessment of the Reform UK takeover. The delay of Hexit means the borough will continue within the GLA structure for the foreseeable future, potentially disappointing residents who voted for Reform UK based on expectations of borough independence.

Residents who outgrow Barking and move to Havering may find themselves continuing to pay GLA taxes and follow regional planning rules they may have hoped to escape through Hexit.

The uncertainty around Hexit’s future could create frustration among voters who supported Reform UK expecting immediate action on borough independence.

How Will This Change Affect Local Political Competition?

The Havering Residents Association’s reduction from 23 to 14 councillors significantly weakens their ability to challenge Reform UK’s governance, leaving them as a diminished official opposition. This shift may make it harder for opposition voices to effectively hold the new administration accountable.

With Reform UK occupying 39 of 55 seats, they have a substantial majority that could allow them to implement their policies without significant opposition interference, though internal party divisions on Hexit may limit their ability to pursue unified agendas.

What Does This Mean for Future London Borough Elections?

Reform UK’s victory in Havering demonstrates that the party can succeed in London local elections, potentially encouraging them to target additional boroughs in future contests.

This could further fragment London’s political landscape, which is already transforming from Labour dominance into a “diverse political quilt” with five or six parties holding power across different councils.

The success in Havering may also encourage other parties to adopt more radical proposals about local government restructuring, potentially leading to more debates about borough independence or GLA reform across London. The political reset in London suggests that traditional voting patterns are no longer reliable, and voters are increasingly willing to support newer parties with distinct policy proposals.