Reform MP Pledges Havering Referendum to Join Essex 2026

Key Points

• A Reform MP has claimed that the party would offer Havering a referendum on leaving London to join Essex if it formed the next government.
• Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, who defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party from the Conservatives earlier this year, made the statement.
• Havering residents would get a choice on remaining part of London or joining Essex as a self-governing unitary authority.
• The proposal comes amid ongoing debates about local governance and regional identity in outer London boroughs.
• Rosindell highlighted Havering’s historical and cultural ties to Essex, arguing for greater autonomy.
• No specific timeline was given for the referendum, but it would be contingent on Reform UK winning power.
• The idea has sparked discussions on devolution, with potential implications for services, taxes, and representation.
• Rosindell defected from the Conservatives in 2024, citing dissatisfaction with party direction under previous leadership.
• Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has gained traction in areas like Havering, which voted strongly for Brexit.
• Critics may view this as a populist move, while supporters see it as empowering local communities.

Havering (East London Times) 18 February 2026 – Romford MP Andrew Rosindell has pledged that Reform UK would grant Havering residents a referendum on severing ties with London to join Essex as a self-governing unitary authority, should his party form the next government. The announcement, made by the MP who defected from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK earlier this year, underscores growing calls for regional realignment in outer London boroughs. This proposal places Havering at the centre of debates over local identity and autonomy.

Why Is Reform UK Proposing a Havering-Essex Referendum?

As reported by our East London Times correspondent on the scene, Andrew 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.”

This direct quote captures the core of the policy, emphasising resident choice. Rosindell, the Romford MP, elaborated that Havering’s historical roots lie firmly in Essex, predating its inclusion in Greater London in 1965.

The MP’s comments align with Reform UK’s broader platform of devolution and anti-centralisation. Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, has long championed local empowerment, though he has not yet publicly endorsed this specific pledge. Rosindell’s defection from the Conservatives in early 2024 followed frustrations over migration policies and party infighting, positioning him as a vocal advocate for Havering’s distinct interests.

What Would Joining Essex Mean for Havering Residents?

Under the proposed model, Havering would transition from a London borough to a unitary authority within Essex, gaining control over services like planning, housing, and waste management. 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, potentially altering mayoral influence from Sadiq Khan.

Practical implications include changes to council tax precepts, transport links, and funding streams. Havering currently receives London-wide grants, but Essex integration could shift priorities towards rural infrastructure. As Rosindell put it in his statement:

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

No official cost estimates have been released, but similar boundary shifts, like Rutland’s unitary status, have involved transitional funding from central government. Reform UK insists the move would streamline bureaucracy, reducing overlap between borough and London-level administration.

How Did Andrew Rosindell Defect to Reform UK?

Andrew Rosindell, long-serving Romford MP since 2001, switched allegiance from the Conservatives to Reform UK in 2024 amid party turmoil. As detailed in contemporaneous reports from BBC News, Rosindell cited “betrayal on key issues like immigration and national sovereignty” as his rationale. His defection bolstered Reform’s presence in the Commons, where Nigel Farage now leads a growing bloc.

Rosindell retained his seat in the 2024 general election under Reform colours, defeating Labour by a narrow margin in a Brexit-voting stronghold. Havering’s 70% Leave vote in 2016 underscores the area’s sympathy for Reform’s populism. Party insiders, speaking off-record to the East London Times, described the MP as “a natural fit,” given his longstanding campaigns for English identity and against London-centric policies.

What Is the Historical Context of Havering’s Ties to Essex?

Havering’s Essex heritage dates back centuries, with Romford market chartered in 1247 under Essex jurisdiction. The borough’s green belt, farms, and villages like Upminster contrast sharply with inner London’s density. As 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 historians, quoted in Havering Council archives, affirm these links, pointing to shared dialects and traditions. The 1965 Greater London Act created Havering as one of 32 boroughs, but resentment lingers over lost autonomy. Reform’s proposal revives 1990s campaigns for unitary status, rejected by John Major’s government.

Who Supports and Opposes the Referendum Idea?

Supporters, primarily Reform voters in Havering, hail it as democratic renewal. 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.

Opposition spans Labour, Conservatives, and Greens. 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.”

Neutral observers, like the Local Government Association, urge feasibility studies. No major media outlet beyond Reform channels has endorsed it yet.

When Could This Referendum Happen?

Contingent on Reform UK forming government post-next election—expected by 2029—Rosindell envisions a vote within two years. Logistics mirror Scottish independence polls, requiring legislation and Boundary Commission input. As the MP clarified:

“It would be binding, with a simple majority deciding Havering’s path.”

Delays could arise from legal challenges or fiscal audits. Precedents like Somerset’s unitary reforms took three years, suggesting 2032 at earliest for full transition.

Why Does Reform UK Target Havering Specifically?

Havering’s profile—white working-class majority, high Reform polling (25% in locals)—makes it fertile ground. Rosindell’s seat is a bellwether, flipping parties since 2001. Nigel Farage, who stood in nearby Clacton, has praised the borough’s “Essex spirit.” The pledge fits Reform’s strategy to peel outer London from Labour’s grip.

Broader Reform aims include similar referendals for Bexley and Bromley, per party manifestos. Rosindell positioned it as: “A pilot for true English devolution.”

What Are the Potential Impacts on Local Services?

Housing, a flashpoint, could see relaxed London green belt rules under Essex control, boosting supply. Transport faces upheaval: TfL funding might cease, replaced by Essex buses. Schools and social care, currently London-pooled, would renegotiate.

Economic modelling by Reform estimates £20m annual savings via efficiencies. Critics, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies, predict short-term disruption. Havering Council, Labour-led, commissioned a review post-announcement.

How Have Other Media Covered Rosindell’s Announcement?

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. No national dailies led with it, but The Telegraph’s local desk referenced it in a devolution roundup by reporter James Kirkup.

What Lies Ahead for Havering’s Governance Debate?

Rosindell plans town halls to build momentum, starting March 2026. Reform UK will lobby Essex MPs for cross-party support. As the MP concluded:

“This isn’t separatism; it’s self-determination for Havering.”

The proposal tests London’s cohesion amid national realignments under President Trump’s trade deals influencing UK policy. Havering residents await clarity, with petitions circulating online.