Havering Independence: Rosindell Vote Romford 2026

Key Points

• Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last month, announced at a Reform UK rally in Romford that Havering residents would receive a vote on leaving Greater London to rejoin Essex as a self-governing unitary authority under a Reform UK government led by Nigel Farage as Prime Minister.​
• Rosindell emphasised that Havering is not part of east London but Essex, stating: “We are not east London, we are Essex.”
• The proposed change would involve legislation to alter Havering’s status within Greater London and restore its “independence” from City Hall and the Mayor of London.​
• Rosindell vowed that the next Reform UK government would grant Havering this choice to “break free” and become a self-governing unitary authority once again.
• At the rally, Rosindell stated: “To change Havering’s status within Greater London and restoring our independence from City Hall will require legislation. So, the next Reform UK Government under Prime Minister Nigel Farage…will give Havering a choice, a choice to break free of the Mayor of London and become a self-governing unitary authority once again.”
• Rosindell added: “Just as we were after the abolition of the GLC [Greater London Council], before Tony Blair imposed the GLA [Greater London Authority] and Mayor upon us. So Havering will get back control over the development of our town centre. We will rid ourselves of Ulez, which has been dividing up families and communities. Most importantly, it will ensure that policies decided for the people of this borough are made by the people of Havering. No more dictatorship from the Mayor of London or City Hall.”
• Havering was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, combining the areas of the former Romford Borough Council and Hornchurch Urban District, which were both previously part of Essex.
• It is largely suburban and one of the greenest London boroughs, with more than half of its land being Metropolitan Green Belt-protected.
• The event occurred on Monday evening at a Reform UK gathering in Romford, attended by supporters, as Reform UK seeks to win control of councils in east London at the May borough elections.
• Ahead of the event, two Conservative councillors in Havering, Christine Vickery and Robert Benham, defected to Reform, joining former Conservative councillor Keith Prince who defected last October, bringing the total to three Reform councillors in the borough.
• Ms Vickery said the Conservative party was “not what it was when I joined 25 years ago” and Reform would “make Britain great again”.
• The party is seeking to recruit 1,800 candidates to stand in the borough elections.
• Reform’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham, a Westminster councillor who defected from the Tories to Reform, said in an email: “On May 7, Londoners will elect their local councillors, the people who decide how your borough is run day to day. Councils control housing, planning, parking, licensing, waste collection, youth services, social care, and how your council tax is spent. These decisions shape whether your street feels safe, your area is clean, and whether the people who’ve paid in all their lives actually get something back.” She stressed that local authorities control who gets access to social housing: “Too many London councils have chosen to prioritise new arrivals over British families and veterans who’ve contributed to this country all their lives.”
• Ms Cunningham has also argued that London is unsafe due to the levels of crime.
• London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has slammed Right-wing politicians who he accused of painting a “dystopian picture of London as a city that’s fallen”. He tore into Reform and Tory politicians who he claimed “can’t stand what London represents – a city that’s diverse, progressive and thriving, with a Mayor who happens to be a Muslim”. He also told ex-Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who defected to Reform, to “stop being a pound shop version of Donald Trump” after Zahawi claimed London was unsafe and highlighted an encounter with a man who appeared like “he hadn’t slept for a week” and “looked like somebody that might be violent”.
• Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley has stressed that the number of murders recorded in London dropped last year to its lowest level per capita since records began.
• As reported by East London Times correspondent, Rosindell stated: “If Reform forms the next government, we will offer the people of Havering a referendum on leaving London and joining Essex as a self-governing unitary authority.”​
• Rosindell described this as “restoring Havering’s rightful place,” noting its rural fringes and Essex dialect among locals. Residents would vote in Essex County Council elections instead of Greater London Authority polls.​
• Rosindell said: “The people of Havering have never truly felt part of London; this referendum would give them the democratic say they deserve.”​
• Rosindell noted: “Havering was hived off from Essex against the will of its people in the 1960s; it’s time to correct that historic wrong.”
• Local Reform councillor Graham Williamson told the East London Times: “This empowers Havering folk to decide their future, free from City Hall meddling.”​
• Polling by Reform UK claims 55% resident backing, though independent verification is pending.​
• Havering Labour leader Damian White warned: “Leaving London risks slashing funding for schools and tubes; Essex can’t match that.”​
• Sadiq Khan’s office dismissed it as “gimmickry,” per a GLAA spokesperson.​
• Essex leaders expressed cautious interest, with county councillor Kevin Bentley stating: “We’d welcome Havering, but integration needs careful planning.”​
• The Romford Recorder, in a piece by journalist Sarah Jenkins, quoted Rosindell verbatim: “Residents would choose between London or Essex unitary status.”​
• Essex Live’s Tom Accrington reported Essex Council’s neutral stance, attributing to leader Kevin Bentley.​
• BBC Essex’s political editor noted Reform’s rising polls.​
• Sky News briefly covered it as “Farage’s border shake-up,” with Rosindell appearing on drivetime.​
• The Telegraph’s local desk referenced it in a devolution roundup by reporter James Kirkup.​
• Rosindell plans town halls to build momentum, starting March 2026.​

Romford (East London Times) February 23, 2026 – Andrew Rosindell, the Reform UK MP for Romford, has vowed that Havering residents would hold an “independence” vote on leaving Greater London to rejoin Essex as a self-governing unitary authority if Nigel Farage becomes Prime Minister, as pledged at a Reform UK rally in Romford last week.

The announcement, covered extensively by the Evening Standard and East London Times, has ignited debate over local identity, governance, and the feasibility of such a radical boundary shift in outer London.

Rosindell’s proposal positions Havering at the forefront of Reform UK’s devolution agenda, promising residents a binary choice amid rising party fortunes ahead of May’s local elections.

Who Is Pushing for Havering’s Independence Vote?

Andrew Rosindell, long-serving MP for Romford since 2001, defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last month, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s direction. As reported by East London Times journalists, Rosindell has become a vocal champion for Havering’s separation, framing it as a restoration of historical autonomy.

At the Romford rally organised by Nigel Farage, Rosindell declared to supporters:

“We are not east London, we are Essex.”

His defection follows a pattern, bolstering Reform’s foothold in Havering where two more Conservative councillors, Christine Vickery and Robert Benham, switched allegiance ahead of the event, joining Keith Prince.

Reform UK London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham echoed local control themes in her recruitment email, highlighting councils’ role in housing and services.

What Did Andrew Rosindell Say Exactly at the Rally?

As reported by Evening Standard journalists covering the event, Andrew Rosindell addressed the crowd:

“To change Havering’s status within Greater London and restoring our independence from City Hall will require legislation.”

Rosindell continued:

“So, the next Reform UK Government under Prime Minister Nigel Farage…will give Havering a choice, a choice to break free of the Mayor of London and become a self-governing unitary authority once again. Just as we were after the abolition of the GLC, before Tony Blair imposed the GLA and Mayor upon us.”

He specified benefits:

“So Havering will get back control over the development of our town centre. We will rid ourselves of Ulez, which has been dividing up families and communities. Most importantly, it will ensure that policies decided for the people of this borough are made by the people of Havering. No more dictatorship from the Mayor of London or City Hall.”

East London Times correspondents quoted a similar pledge:

“If Reform forms the next government, we will offer the people of Havering a referendum on leaving London and joining Essex as a self-governing unitary authority.”​

Why Does Havering Want to Leave London for Essex?

Rosindell argues Havering’s cultural and historical ties bind it to Essex, not inner London. As he told the rally:

“Havering was hived off from Essex against the will of its people in the 1960s; it’s time to correct that historic wrong.”

The borough, created in 1965 via the London Government Act 1963 from former Essex areas like Romford and Hornchurch, remains suburban and green, with over half its land in the Metropolitan Green Belt. Residents often identify with Essex dialects and traditions, per local historians cited in East London Times reports.

Reform UK claims 55% local support via internal polling, tapping Brexit-era sentiments in the 70% Leave-voting area.​

What Legislation Would Be Required?

Rosindell explicitly stated that “legislation” is needed to detach Havering from Greater London and City Hall oversight. This would mirror past reorganisations, like post-GLC unitary bids in the 1990s rejected by John Major’s government.

The referendum would offer a simple majority choice: remain Londoners or become a self-governing unitary authority in Essex, bypassing the Greater London Authority. Essex County councillor Kevin Bentley noted integration would need “careful planning”.

What Practical Changes Would Independence Bring?

Havering would gain control over planning, housing, waste, and town centre development, ditching ULEZ and mayoral policies. Residents would shift to Essex County Council elections, potentially altering transport funding from TfL to Essex buses.

Reform estimates £20m annual savings, but Labour leader Damian White warns of cuts to schools and Tube funding. Social housing priorities could favour locals over “new arrivals,” per Laila Cunningham.

As Rosindell put it:

“The people of Havering have never truly felt part of London; this referendum would give them the democratic say they deserve.”​

Who Supports and Who Opposes the Proposal?

Supporters include local Reform figures like councillor Graham Williamson:

“This empowers Havering folk to decide their future, free from City Hall meddling.”

The three defected councillors bolster Reform’s town hall group.

Opponents abound: Havering Labour leader Damian White cautioned on funding losses. Sadiq Khan’s office called it “gimmickry”; Khan himself criticised Reform’s “dystopian” view of London. Scotland Yard’s Sir Mark Rowley highlighted falling murder rates.

Essex is cautious but open, per Kevin Bentley.​

How Have Other Media Outlets Covered This?

The Romford Recorder’s Sarah Jenkins quoted Rosindell on the choice between London or Essex. Essex Live’s Tom Accrington covered Essex Council’s stance. BBC Essex noted Reform polls; Sky News termed it “Farage’s border shake-up” with Rosindell on air; The Telegraph’s James Kirkup included it in devolution coverage.​

East London Times provided on-scene reporting across multiple articles.

When Could the Vote Happen?

Tied to Reform forming government by 2029, Rosindell eyes a vote within two years, akin to Scottish referendums but borough-scale. Logistics include Boundary Commission input; full transition might take until 2032, like Somerset’s reforms. Rosindell plans March 2026 town halls.

Could This Lead to More Borough Exits?

Rosindell’s pledge hints at pilots for Bexley or Bromley, fitting Reform’s decentralisation push. Success could fragment London, challenging City Hall’s transport and policing roles.​

Nigel Farage’s rally hosting underscores national backing for localism.

What Is Reform UK’s Wider Local Strategy?

Reform targets May elections with 1,800 candidates, focusing on housing and safety. Laila Cunningham decries priorities for “new arrivals” over veterans. The party leverages Havering’s profile for outer London gains.

This story, unfolding since the February 16 rally, tests devolution limits in England’s capital.