Key Points:
- Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell is urging for Havering to split from London and rejoin Essex.
- Statement made during a speech in the House of Commons earlier this month.
- Mr Rosindell claims Havering is “geographically, historically and culturally Essex”.
- He believes the Greater London Authority has diminished Havering’s Essex identity.
- Criticisms include lack of police presence, ULEZ opposition, and planning interference from the Mayor.
- The proposal coincides with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s local government reform plans.
- Havering was absorbed into Greater London in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963.
- The borough includes areas like Romford, Upminster, and Collier Row.
- Rosindell calls the 1965 reorganisation “lazy” and unreflective of local history.
- Deputy PM’s plans aim to merge councils and strengthen regional mayor powers.
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell has reignited a long-standing identity debate by calling for Havering to break away from London and rejoin Essex, describing the moment as a “once-in-a-century opportunity” to correct a historical mistake.
As first reported by Megan Howe of The Standard, Mr Rosindell, the MP for Romford, made the proposal in the House of Commons earlier this month, claiming the borough’s cultural and geographical ties to Essex outweigh any modern affiliation with London.
As quoted by Megan Howe of The Standard, Mr Rosindell declared:
“Romford is geographically Essex. We are historically Essex. We are culturally Essex and our social, sporting and commercial connections have always looked towards the county of Essex.”
Why does Rosindell want Havering to leave London?
Mr Rosindell believes the creation of Havering under the Greater London Authority in 1965 diluted the borough’s identity. He argued that the government’s reorganisation, which combined the former Romford Borough Council and Hornchurch Urban District, ignored the area’s deep-rooted Essex connections.
In his words, as reported by The Standard:
“My constituents and I are proud of our Essex identity, which transcends local government or administrative boundaries that are forever changing—as they are again today.”
He blamed the current Greater London structure for a perceived neglect of the borough. Among the issues raised were the closure of police stations—“all but one,” he claimed—and unwanted policy impositions like the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), which he says his constituents oppose.
What historical background supports his argument?
According to The Standard‘s report, Havering was formally incorporated into Greater London via the London Government Act 1963 and has since been managed under the framework of the Greater London Authority.
Previously, Romford and Hornchurch were part of Essex, and Mr Rosindell insists that identity remains intact among many locals. The borough is largely suburban, and more than half of its land is designated Metropolitan Green Belt—making it quite distinct from central London boroughs.
How does this proposal align with Angela Rayner’s plans?
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced intentions to reform local government by merging councils where there are two-tier systems—namely, smaller district and larger county authorities—in an effort to streamline service delivery. She also advocates for giving regional mayors greater authority over housing, education, and employment to stimulate economic growth.
Mr Rosindell’s campaign could align with these reforms, though his approach is more about secession and identity than administrative efficiency.
What governance issues does Rosindell highlight?
As noted by Megan Howe of The Standard, Mr Rosindell’s chief grievances include:
- The closure of almost all police stations in Romford.
- A lack of visible police presence.
- Local resistance to ULEZ.
- Planning interference from the London Mayor’s office.
He stated that these issues stem from a centralised authority that doesn’t understand or serve the needs of outer boroughs like Havering.
What does this mean for Havering’s future?
While Mr Rosindell’s comments are not the first call for boroughs on London’s edge to reassess their governance, they carry weight amid ongoing discussions about devolution and regional identity.
Whether Havering can or will exit Greater London is uncertain, but the proposal will likely ignite further debate. The legal and administrative changes required would be significant and would involve both local and national consultation.
Still, as The Standard article suggests, this could become a defining issue in future policy discussions, particularly as broader government restructuring is considered.
Mr Rosindell concluded, according to Megan Howe of The Standard:
“Ever since the merger of Romford and Hornchurch into the new Greater London… our Essex identity has been diminished and even discarded… [the 1965 reorganisation] was lazy in its construction and took no account of our history.”
Is this the first time a London borough has challenged its status?
No. Various boroughs—especially outer ones—have historically expressed dissatisfaction with their inclusion in Greater London. There have been petitions in 2021 and 2025 calling for referenda on either London’s independence or for boroughs to rejoin their historical counties.
None have yet succeeded in prompting significant constitutional change, but the undercurrent of local identity and autonomy continues to surface in political discourse.
