Philip Hyde Slams Reform UK in Havering Fight, Backs Restore Britain – Havering 2026

Key Points

• Philip Hyde, former chairman of Reform UK’s Havering branch, has criticised the party, warning that a Reform-controlled Havering Council would continue to ignore “deplorable health outcomes” and “growing social and economic problems”.​
• Hyde, now a member of Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party, claims the borough will keep suffering under Reform control amid financial crippling from exorbitant social care and housing costs.​
• Havering faces a ballooning young population, rising obesity rates, high homelessness, and temporary accommodation costs, contributing to budget overspends predicted in the millions.
• The council has the second oldest population in London alongside one of the fastest-growing young populations nationally, driving unprecedented demand for adult and children’s social care.​
• Reform UK has gained traction in Havering with defections like Councillor Keith Prince in October 2025, making him the first Reform councillor there and helping form an official London Assembly group.​
• Rupert Lowe, ex-Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, launched Restore Britain in February 2026 as a national party pledging mass deportations and partnering with local groups, after his suspension from Reform.
• Havering Council faces intense financial pressure from government underfunding, demographic changes, and growth, with a £89m government bailout accepted in February 2025 to avoid bankruptcy.​
• Last year, Havering overspent its housing budget by £6.6m and overall ‘people’ budget by over £20m, with total budget at £292m including contingencies.​
• Reform UK Romford branch, once chaired by Hyde, celebrated by-election wins and planned radical changes to council funding amid bankruptcy risks, as noted in October 2024.​
• Political defections in Havering are frequent, with 26 of 55 councillors switching sides since May 2022, including to Reform, without by-elections.​

Havering (East London Times) February 26, 2026 – Tensions in Havering’s political landscape have intensified as Philip Hyde, the former chairman of Reform UK’s local branch, launched a sharp critique against the party he once led locally. Now aligned with Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain, Hyde warns that Reform gaining control of the council would perpetuate the borough’s woes, including ignoring “deplorable health outcomes” and exacerbating “growing social and economic problems”. This comes amid Havering’s severe financial strains from soaring social care and housing costs, compounded by rising obesity and a rapidly expanding young population.

Who is Philip Hyde and Why Did He Leave Reform UK?

Philip Hyde served as chairman of Reform UK’s Havering and Barking branch, where he announced the group’s inaugural meeting in October 2024 amid surging membership. As reported by

The Havering Daily, Hyde highlighted Havering Council’s near-bankruptcy status, positioning Reform to propose “radical changes” to funding and spending. Hyde, a veteran of local politics, previously stood for UKIP in 2014, winning a seat in Heaton ward before resigning in 2016 over council mismanagement, and ran in the 2015 general election for Ilford North.

His departure to Restore Britain marks a personal and ideological shift. In a MyLondon article, Hyde is quoted saying a Reform council will

“continue to ignore deplorable health outcomes”

and “growing social and economic problems”.

UnHerd journalist reported Hyde addressing a Reform UK meeting in Rainham, railing against police cuts, austerity, bankrupt councils, and demographic changes like a new mosque in Romford, where he noted locals feeling like “the bloody minority”.

What is Restore Britain and Rupert Lowe’s Role?

Rupert Lowe, former Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, launched Restore Britain on February 14, 2026, as a national party after operating it as a movement post his March 2025 suspension from Reform.

As detailed by BBC News, Lowe’s suspension followed allegations of threatening Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, though the Crown Prosecution Service found insufficient evidence for conviction.

Restore Britain pledges mass deportations of illegal immigrants, protection of British culture, ending diversity programmes, slashing benefits to reduce unemployment, and cutting taxes, according to Wikipedia.

UK Fact Check reported Lowe’s launch coincides with Advance UK’s potential merger, pressuring Reform by attracting right-wing activists and voters. Jon Chadwick of Industrial Estate of Mind described Restore as more authoritarian than Reform’s populist-nationalist stance. Lowe plans to stand again in Great Yarmouth with local allies like Great Yarmouth First.

Why is Havering Financially Crippled?

Havering Council approved its “toughest budget ever” for 2024/25 amid a funding crisis, as per the official council site. The borough has London’s second-oldest population paired with one of England’s fastest-growing young cohorts, spiking demand for social care.

The Havering Daily’s Local Democracy reporter Sebastian Mann noted housing and adult social care already pushing a multi-million overspend in 2025, with last year’s housing overrun at £6.6m and ‘people’ budget at over £20m.

Officers stated the council endures “intense financial pressure” from long-standing government underfunding during rapid demographic growth. In February 2025, Havering secured a £89m government bailout, functioning like credit to avert bankruptcy. Cost-of-living rises and housing shortages have ballooned homelessness and temporary accommodation expenses.

What Health and Social Challenges Face Havering?

Hyde’s swipe targets Reform ignoring “deplorable health outcomes”, amid rising obesity and youth population pressures. Havering’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy notes slowed life expectancy gains marred by ill-health and inequalities.

The council’s data highlights dependencies on health and social care services.

Broader reports link socio-economic factors like poor education and static incomes to wellbeing gaps. Public health grants fund legislated services, but underfunding hampers delivery, as Councillor Ray Morgan of Havering Council responded to critics in The Havering Daily.

How Has Reform UK Gained Ground in Havering?

Reform UK eyes council control amid volatility. Councillor Keith Prince defected from Conservatives in October 2025, becoming Havering’s first Reform councillor and enabling an official London Assembly group. East London Times reported Prince, ex-council leader until 2014, cited personal changes.​

The Havering Daily speculated more Tory defections post-Prince, potentially fragmenting right-leaning votes ahead of May 2026 elections. Romford MP Andrew Rosindell’s Reform switch fuelled further questions. Havering Blog noted 26 of 55 councillors defected since 2022, twice changing parties, without by-elections. Reform leader Nigel Farage claimed councillors face official obstruction nationally.

What Do Political Defections Mean for Havering Elections?

Frequent switches signal instability. The Havering Daily questioned if more will follow Rosindell before May’s polls. Prince’s move, per East London Times, shifts Assembly balance: Labour 11, Conservatives 7, others trailing. Reform positions as anti-establishment, but Hyde’s exit highlights internal rifts.

Rosindell warned against GLA merger proposals eroding Havering’s autonomy, pledging Reform would empower locals.

Could Reform Control Lead to More Problems?

Hyde argues Reform rule would sustain neglect of health and economic issues. Critics like Morgan defend statutory spending mandates. Farage insists Reform cuts waste but faces bureaucratic hurdles. Overspends persist despite contingencies.

Havering’s challenges—demographics, costs, health disparities—demand solutions beyond party lines, as CIPFA audit affirmed sound management. Restore’s emergence adds competition on the right.