Reform UK Wins Havering, Greens Take Hackney; East London 2026

Key Points

• Reform UK secured control of Havering Council, marking the party’s first council control in London, according to an overnight count reported by the BBC .
• Zoë Garbett won the mayoral election in Hackney, becoming the Green Party’s first directly elected mayor in London, while the Greens also gained a majority on the council .
• Voters in Romford (Havering) expressed frustration with mainstream parties, citing dissatisfaction with council performance and immigration as key reasons for backing Reform UK .
• Some Havering residents criticized Reform UK as “prejudiced” and “racial,” fearing the result is “bad for us” .
• In Hackney, voters embraced the Green Party’s vision of change, supporting Garbett’s candidacy and the party’s policy platform .
• BBC London interviewed voters in Romford and Dalston to understand motivations behind the shift toward opposing political visions .
• One Romford stallholder suggested Havering should leave London and return to Essex, reflecting regional identity tensions .
• The elections represent two distinct political firsts in the same election cycle within east London boroughs .
• Opposition to Reform UK includes accusations that voters were swayed by “misinformation” and are choosing “hatred” over economic benefit .
• Long-time Labour supporter Rosemary in Romford said Labour is “now rubbish,” illustrating Labour’s declining support in the area .

Romford, Havering, and Hackney (East London Times) May 16, 2026 – Voters in two east London boroughs have delivered starkly contrasting political mandates in the 2026 council elections, with Reform UK capturing control of Havering Council and the Green Party securing both a directly elected mayor and council majority in Hackney.

Why Did Havering Voters Back Reform UK in This Election?

At Romford Market on Friday morning, the atmosphere reflected the tension surrounding Reform UK’s breakthrough. As reported by the BBC’s London elections team, many residents expressed deep frustration with established parties.

“I’m so fed up with everything that’s happening,”

said Irene, a voter who supported Reform UK, adding that

“the council’s going to pot” .

Another Romford voter told BBC London,

“If I’m honest, I have no faith in any of the other ones, so that’s why I voted for Reform and let’s hope they can do a job” .

Rosemary, who claimed to have supported Labour “all my life,” stated the party is “now rubbish” and highlighted concerns over immigration:

“We’ve got migrants all coming into the country” .

How Did the Green Party Achieve a Historic Win in Hackney?

In contrast, Hackney voters delivered what the BBC described as “another political first,” with Zoë Garbett becoming the Green Party’s first directly elected mayor in London while the party also won a council majority . This result marks a significant shift in a borough long associated with Labour dominance.

BBC London spoke to voters in Dalston about their support for the Greens, though specific quotes from Dalston respondents were not included in the available report . The victory represents the Green Party’s expanding influence in urban London politics.

What Are the Divisions Among Havering Residents Regarding Reform UK?

Not all Havering residents welcomed Reform UK’s victory. One woman described the result as “bad for us” and labelled Reform UK as “prejudiced and racial and horrible” .

Josh told the BBC, “People are voting for hatred. They’d rather have hatred than money in their pockets. They’d rather have hatred than freedom in their pockets” .

Josh further argued that people had believed in “misinformation” to vote for Reform UK . David, a Romford Market stallholder, suggested Reform UK’s presence in London was inappropriate, stating the council should “cede back to its historic county home of Essex.”

“I’d rather get out of London and go back to Essex, 100%,”

he said .

How Do These Results Reflect Broader Political Trends in East London?

The simultaneous but opposing outcomes in Havering and Hackney illustrate the fragmented political landscape in east London.

As reported by the BBC, Havering was “the first to signal this change” with Reform UK winning control of its first council in the capital . Meanwhile, Hackney’s result represents the Green Party’s breakthrough in directly elected mayoral contests.

BBC London’s coverage emphasized that voters in both boroughs

“chose a new political path for their respective councils but the winning parties are offering very different visions” .

The elections underscore growing dissatisfaction with mainstream parties and a willingness among voters to support alternative political movements.

What Do Voters Say They Want From Their New Council Leadership?

In Romford, voters who backed Reform UK expressed desires for change rooted in dissatisfaction with current council performance and concerns over national issues like immigration. “The council’s going to pot” was a recurring sentiment among Reform supporters .

In Hackney, while specific policy demands from Green voters were not detailed in the available report, the overwhelming support for Zoë Garbett suggests voters are seeking an alternative to Labour’s traditional governance model.

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Background of the 2026 London Council Elections and the Rise of Alternative Parties

The 2026 council elections in England marked a significant realignment in London’s political landscape. Reform UK, previously marginal in London politics, achieved its first council control in the capital with the Havering victory .

This development follows increased national visibility for Reform UK under its leadership’s focus on immigration control and anti-establishment rhetoric.

The Green Party’s success in Hackney represents another milestone, with Zoë Garbett becoming the party’s first directly elected mayor in London .

The Greens have been gaining ground in urban areas where environmental policy, social justice, and progressive governance resonate with voters disillusioned with Labour’s centrist shift.

Havering, located in east London near the Essex border, has historical ties to Essex, which some residents now invoke amid changing political identities .

Hackney, a inner-London borough with a long Labour history, has seen growing Green Party support in recent years, culminating in this mayoral and council majority victory.

BBC London provided live coverage of the elections, allowing real-time tracking of results across London’s boroughs .

The elections were part of a wider set of council contests across England, with BBC London focusing on voter reactions in Romford and Dalston to understand the motivations behind the shift.

Prediction: How Will These Political Shifts Affect East London Residents and Communities?

The contrasting victories in Havering and Hackney will likely produce divergent policy outcomes affecting residents in distinct ways. In Havering, Reform UK’s control may lead to stricter approaches on immigration-related local issues, increased scrutiny of council spending, and potential tensions over regional identity, especially given calls for the borough to return to Essex . Residents who opposed Reform UK may feel alienated, potentially deepening community divisions.

For Hackney, Zoë Garbett’s mayoral leadership and the Green majority on the council could bring intensified focus on environmental sustainability, affordable housing, and social welfare programs. This may appeal to progressive voters but could create friction with moderate or Labour-leaning residents accustomed to different policy priorities.