Key Points

• Reform UK London Assembly members Keith Prince and Alex Wilson walked out of a plenary session at City Hall on Thursday afternoon.
• The walkout followed a dispute over a Liberal Democrat motion concerning Havering and a potential referendum on the borough leaving London.
• Prince accused the chair, Conservative Andrew Boff, of wrongly admitting a motion that he said misrepresented his position on a referendum.
• Prince stated he has not ruled out a referendum and would consider it if there is sufficient public demand.
• Conservative Assembly leader Susan Hall criticised the walkout, saying Reform had abandoned constituents and avoided debate.
• The incident occurred amid intense scrutiny of Reform UK’s flagship Havering council and its delivery for local residents.

Havering (East London Times) July 3, 2026 –Reform UK members of the London Assembly walked out of a plenary session at City Hall on Thursday after a heated dispute over a motion related to Havering and whether the borough should remain part of Greater London. Keith Prince AM and Alex Wilson AM, the two Reform representatives on the Assembly, left the chamber as the meeting descended into chaos, according to reports from the Evening Standard and The Havering Daily.

The incident centred on a Liberal Democrat motion tabled by Gareth Roberts AM, with Hina Bokhari OBE AM as seconder. The motion acknowledged Prince’s advocacy for a referendum on whether Havering should stay in Greater London, but argued that any attempt to detach a London borough could cause “unnecessary division and uncertainty” for residents, businesses and public services. It also stated support for Prince in his decision to “oppose a referendum regarding Havering’s future status”, and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to London-wide decision-making.

Why did Reform UK members walk out of the Assembly?

Prince and Wilson blamed the Assembly chair, Conservative Andrew Boff, for admitting the Liberal Democrat motion.

They argued that it falsely claimed Prince had rejected the principle of a referendum on Havering’s independence from London.

Prince insisted he had never ruled out such a vote and had repeatedly said he was open to it should there be enough public demand.

As reported by Nicholas Cecil of the Evening Standard, Prince said:

“This motion is a shameless, unveiled attempt to sow disagreement between myself and my party colleagues where it doesn’t exist. By walking out of the Assembly today, we have made it abundantly clear that Reform UK will not stand for political gameplaying.”

He added:

“This flagrantly misleading motion should have never been admitted by the chair.”

The Havering Daily quoted Prince as saying:

“I will not sit by whilst other politicians attempt to lie about me,”

as he explained his decision to leave the chamber rather than continue the debate.

How did other parties respond to the walkout?

Conservative Assembly leader Susan Hall said she was disappointed that Reform had chosen to leave the debate. Hall stated:

“I’m disappointed that Reform chose to leave the debate rather than stay behind to defend their comments, represent their constituents, and engage in the process. If they believed they’d been misrepresented, then the floor would have been theirs to make a stand. Instead what we have seen is Havering voters misled at the election and now abandoned on the floor of the Assembly, because Reform can’t make their mind up.”

Liberal Democrat members proceeded with the motion in the absence of the Reform representatives. The text of the motion, shared on social media and reported by

The Havering Daily and other outlets, emphasised the potential risks to transport, policing, housing, economic development and environmental policy if a borough sought to leave Greater London.

What is the background to the Havering independence debate?

The dispute at City Hall occurred against the backdrop of longstanding discussion about Havering’s relationship with Greater London.

Havering is geographically on the eastern edge of the capital and has, at times, been the subject of local campaigns questioning its place within the London governance structure.

Prince, who is also leader of Havering Council and a former leader of Redbridge Council, has previously advocated for the idea of a referendum on the borough’s status.

However, as noted in Evening Standard reporting, during a council meeting in May, Prince made clear that he would not prioritise pursuing moves for a Havering independence vote at that time.

This nuance formed part of the disagreement over how his position should be characterised in the Assembly motion.

What does this mean for Reform UK’s agenda in London?

The walkout highlighted tensions between Reform UK’s approach at the London Assembly and the broader political dynamics at City Hall. Reform has positioned itself as a challenger to the status quo, with Havering council as a flagship test of its ability to deliver for local residents.

The party’s assembly group, though small, has sought to use the platform to amplify its messaging on issues such as local governance, spending and perceived overreach by London-wide bodies.

By exiting the plenary, Prince and Wilson signalled their refusal to engage with what they described as misleading political manoeuvring. However, critics argued that the move deprived Havering residents of representation at a key moment in the Assembly’s proceedings.

What are the next steps for the London Assembly and Havering?

Following the walkout, the Assembly continued its business and debated the Liberal Democrat motion. The outcome of the vote and any subsequent statements from party leaders are expected to feed into ongoing discussions about the future of Havering within Greater London.

Prince and Wilson are likely to face questions from opponents and constituents about their decision to leave rather than argue their case on the record.

Havering Council, under Prince’s leadership, remains under close scrutiny from residents and other political groups over its policies and performance.

The independence debate, while not currently a top priority for the council leadership, retains the potential to resurface if public sentiment shifts or if political conditions change.

Background to the Havering development

Havering’s relationship with Greater London has been a subject of local discussion for several years. The borough, located on the outer edge of the capital, has distinct characteristics that have led some residents and campaigners to question whether it benefits fully from being part of the London governance structure. Debates have touched on issues such as transport links, council funding, and the perceived distance between Havering and central London decision-making.

Keith Prince, as leader of Havering Council and a Reform UK Assembly member, has been a prominent figure in these discussions.

He has previously spoken about the idea of a referendum on Havering’s status, arguing that residents should have a say in their future.

At the same time, he has indicated that such a vote would depend on sufficient public demand and would not be pursued as an immediate priority.

The Liberal Democrat motion at the London Assembly sought to characterise his position as one of opposition to a referendum, which Prince and his colleagues strongly contested.

Prediction: How could this affect Havering residents and London-wide politics?

The walkout and the surrounding debate are likely to have several implications for Havering residents and the wider political landscape in London.

For local people, the incident may deepen perceptions of political instability and raise questions about how effectively their interests are being represented at City Hall. If Reform UK is seen as unwilling to engage in difficult debates, it could affect public trust in the party’s ability to deliver on its promises in Havering.

At the London-wide level, the episode underscores the challenges of managing a diverse and sometimes fragmented Assembly. It may encourage other parties to frame Reform UK as disruptive or unwilling to participate constructively, potentially influencing future electoral narratives.

For Havering specifically, the independence debate, while not currently a top priority, remains a latent issue that could gain traction if residents feel disconnected from London-wide policies or if local grievances intensify.

In the longer term, the way this dispute is handled by all parties could shape how future questions about borough autonomy and London governance are addressed. If the focus shifts back to practical service delivery and tangible improvements for residents, the independence debate may recede.