Havering Reform Win, Hackney Green Mayor 2026

Key Points

• Reform UK secured control of Havering Council with 39 out of 55 seats, marking the party’s first council win in London.
• Conservatives were wiped out with zero seats, down from 23 in 2022; Labour reduced to 2 seats from 8.
• In Hackney, Green Party’s Zoë Garbett won the mayoral election with 35,720 votes against Labour’s 26,865, becoming the party’s first directly elected mayor there.
• Greens also gained a majority on Hackney Council, ending Labour’s long dominance.
• Voters in Romford expressed frustration with main parties; in Dalston, support for Green change.
• Nigel Farage called it a “truly historic shift” in British politics.
• Local Reform leader Keith Prince described it as an “historic night” for Havering.

Havering and Hackney (East London Times) May 9, 2026 –Havering, Reform UK has taken control of the council with 39 seats out of 55, achieving the party’s first victory in a London borough on May 7, 2026. In stark contrast, Hackney voters elected Green Party candidate Zoë Garbett as their first directly elected Green mayor with 35,720 votes, while the Greens secured a council majority. These results, declared overnight, highlight diverging political paths in two east London boroughs amid widespread local elections.

Why Did Reform UK Triumph in Havering Council Election?

As reported by the Evening Standard in their coverage of London local elections, Reform UK won 39 seats (+36 from previous), Residents’ Associations held 14 (-15), Labour 2 (-6), and Conservatives 0 (-14).

This marked the first time Conservatives failed to win any seats in Havering’s 60-year history, following defections to Residents’ Associations.

Local Reform leader Keith Prince, speaking to reporters outside Havering Town Hall, said it was an “historic night here in Havering”.

Party leader Nigel Farage declared in front of his new councillors that Havering was “under new management”, adding that Labour and Conservatives had been “wiped out” nationally.

BBC London reported that Havering was the first to signal this change with an overnight count. At Romford Market on Friday morning, traders continued serving customers as residents reacted to the result, with many telling BBC London they felt frustrated with the main political parties and wanted something different.

What Led to Green Party’s Historic Win in Hackney Mayoral Race?

In Hackney, the election on May 7, 2026, saw Zoë Garbett of the Green Party win with 35,720 votes to Labour’s 26,865, ousting Labour which had held the mayoralty since 2002.

ITV News London noted Garbett vowed to “change the system” in her new role, which gives her direct control over council policy and services.

The Evening Standard reported the widely predicted victory marks the first time Greens have had an elected mayor in the capital, with forecasts of overall council control.

Wikipedia entry on the election confirms it was held alongside the council election, with Garbett becoming the party’s first mayor.

BBC coverage highlighted voters delivered another political first with Garbett’s win and Green council majority. In Dalston, voters expressed support for this change, speaking to BBC London about what they want from their new councils.

How Are Voters Reacting in Romford and Dalston?

BBC London spoke to voters in Romford and Dalston about why they voted for change. In Romford, residents at the market on May 8 said they were frustrated with main parties like Labour and Conservatives, seeking an alternative, as per BBC reports.

Socialist Worker analysis from prior elections noted Reform supporters often cite immigration stances (71%), opposition to “wokeness” (50%), and scrapping environmental policies (37%).

Reform’s Facebook post celebrated full control of Havering, with comments praising the result for standing up for British values.

In Dalston, reactions favoured Green policies, with BBC noting a different perspective on change ending Labour dominance. YouTube coverage of Farage hailing the “historic shift” in Havering contrasted with Green gains elsewhere.

What Do These Results Mean for East London Politics?

These outcomes from May 7 elections show Reform UK’s rise in Havering, previously no overall control with Conservatives at 23 seats in 2022, now zero. Hackney’s shift ends Labour’s mayoral hold since the role’s creation.

Nigel Farage, in a YouTube statement on May 8, said the results demonstrated a “truly historic shift” as Reform took its first London council. The new Reform administration in Havering will handle housing, roads, and bins for four years.

In Hackney, Garbett’s win provides Greens control over services, as distinct from ceremonial roles elsewhere. Counts continued into May 8-9 for other councils, per BBC.

Background of the Particular Development

Havering Council elections occur every four years, with 55 seats across wards; prior to 2026, no overall control prevailed after 2022 results of 23 Conservatives, 23 Residents’ Associations, and 9 Labour.

Reform UK, founded post-Brexit, built support on immigration and anti-establishment platforms, achieving national gains in locals.

Hackney’s directly elected mayor, introduced in 2002, was Labour-held until 2026; council elections align with this, allowing Green breakthrough amid national shifts.

Elections on May 7 followed 2022 patterns but reflected voter disillusionment, as seen in Romford and Dalston reactions. BBC provided live updates throughout.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect East London Residents

This development can affect Havering residents through Reform-led policies on local issues like housing and waste, potentially prioritising immigration concerns cited by supporters. Bin collections and road maintenance may see changes under new management, as Farage noted.

Hackney residents could experience Green-focused services under Garbett, emphasising system changes in policy delivery. Council majority enables shifts in environmental and social priorities, impacting daily services.

Residents in both boroughs, including Romford traders and Dalston voters, may see responses to their change demands, such as frustration with main parties in Havering or Green visions in Hackney. Four-year terms will shape local governance until next elections.