Were Havering Voters Misled on Hexit? Havering 2026

Key Points

• Reform UK won control of the Havering borough in May 2026, seizing power from the Havering Residents Association and becoming the first London borough controlled by the party.
• “Hexit” refers to the proposed idea of Havering exiting the Greater London Authority (GLA) to become part of Essex again.
• The new council leader, who was never a strong supporter of Hexit, has delayed the issue indefinitely, kicking it “into the long grass”.
• Opposition parties have accused Reform UK of potentially misleading local voters on the Hexit issue during the election campaign.
• Reform UK has denied the charge that they misled voters regarding Hexit.
• Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford, defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK earlier in 2026 and has long advocated for Havering to leave the GLA.
• Rosindell claims leaving the GLA would give Havering more power over transport and policing spending decisions.
• During the election campaign, both Rosindell and Nigel Farage expressed support for giving local people a vote on the Hexit issue.
• On election results day, Farage stated many in Havering feel their association is with Essex and have resented being part of Greater London since 1965.
• The modern London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 from the old borough of Romford and urban district of Hornchurch, formerly part of Essex.
• A Facebook poll by The Havering Daily revealed over 68% of locals back Hexit, with 1,500+ residents voting in favour.
• Rosindell has tabled amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to give Havering a referendum opportunity.

Havering (East London Times) June 20, 2026 – The political landscape in Havering has shifted dramatically following Reform UK’s historic victory in May 2026, yet a key election promise regarding the borough’s potential exit from Greater London remains unfulfilled, prompting accusations that voters were misled on the “Hexit” issue.

Did Reform UK Mislead Havering Voters About Hexit During the May Election Campaign?

As reported by the BBC’s local elections correspondent, Reform UK won control of its first London borough in May, seizing power from the Havering Residents Association which had previously run the council. The party secured 39 of the borough’s 55 seats, marking a significant political change in the area. However, according to reporting on the issue, the new council leader, who was never much of a fan of the Hexit idea, has kicked the proposal into the long grass.

This delay has prompted accusations from opposition parties that Reform UK may have misled local voters on the Hexit issue during the election campaign.

The charge stems from the fact that both Andrew Rosindell and Nigel Farage expressed support for giving local people a vote on whether Havering should leave the Greater London Authority during the election campaign. Reform UK has denied the charge that they misled voters regarding Hexit.

Why Do Some Havering Residents Feel More Connected to Essex Than London?

The sentiment behind Hexit draws from Havering’s historical identity. As reported by journalists covering local history, the modern London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 after the reorganisation and creation of the 32 London boroughs. Formerly part of Essex, it was formed from the old borough of Romford and the urban district of Hornchurch.

Andrew Rosindell, one of the borough’s local MPs who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK earlier this year, has long made the case for Havering to leave the GLA. He claims this would give the borough more power to decide how its money is spent on things such as transport and policing. On election results day, Farage said there were many in Havering who had felt

“their association is with Essex and ever since 1965 have slightly resented being part of Greater London”.

“All I would say is people ought to have the choice to make a decision on that,” Farage stated during his election results day comment. This rhetoric resonated with voters, as evidenced by a recent poll run by The Havering Daily on Facebook which revealed powerful local sentiment — over 1,500 residents voted in favour of Havering leaving Greater London and returning to Essex. The poll showed over 68% of locals back Hexit.

What Legislative Steps Have Been Taken to Pursue a Hexit Referendum?

As reported by The Havering Daily, MP Andrew Rosindell tabled amendments designed to give Havering the opportunity to leave the Greater London Authority and join Essex. For years, Rosindell has argued that Havering’s historic roots and cultural identity sit firmly within Essex, not London.

Rosindell is now using the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to press for a referendum that would allow residents to decide their future once and for all. He proposed that

“the people of Havering are given the right, in a referendum, to decide whether or not they wish to withdraw from the Greater London Authority as well as from under the control of the Mayor of London and instead, have the option of joining the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority”.

The MP spoke in support of his amendments, new clauses 85 and 86 to the bill, arguing it is

“time for the restoration of Essex’s historic and ceremonial boundaries to preserve local identity and heritage”.

An impressive 94% of participants in a Rosindell-commissioned poll voted in favour of granting Havering independence from City Hall, according to his campaign website.

Seven MPs including Nigel Farage have signed Rosindell’s amendments to give Havering a referendum on being part of Greater Essex instead of Greater London and restoring Havering to the Lord Lieutenancy of Essex. On his campaign website, Rosindell stated he has been

“listening to your concerns and aspirations, and it is clear that many of you believe in the benefits of Havering reclaiming its autonomy”.

How Has the New Council Leader Responded to the Hexit Proposal?

The political shift in Havering has created internal tension regarding Hexit. As reported in local news coverage, the new council leader was never much of a fan of the Hexit idea. Following the election victory, this leader has effectively delayed the proposal, kicking it “into the long grass”.

This internal disagreement within Reform UK’s new council leadership has fueled opposition accusations. The delay contradicts the public rhetoric made during the election campaign by both Rosindell and Farage, who both expressed support for giving local people a vote on the issue.

The opposition parties argue this discrepancy suggests voters may have been misled about the party’s actual commitment to pursuing Hexit.

What Has Been the Public Reaction to the Delayed Hexit Promise?

The public reaction appears divided between those who supported Reform UK based on Hexit promises and those who prioritize other issues.

The Facebook poll by The Havering Daily demonstrated significant support for the concept, with over 68% of respondents backing Hexit and more than 1,500 residents voting in favour.

However, the new council leader’s decision to delay the issue suggests not all Reform UK supporters in Havering prioritize Hexit. The leader’s reluctance indicates internal party disagreement about whether pursuing Hexit should be the council’s immediate focus, despite the public rhetoric made during the election campaign.

BBC London spoke to voters in Romford about what they want from their new councils, capturing the diverse views on change in the borough.

The election results demonstrated that voters were drawn to Reform UK’s broader platform, with Hexit being one component of their campaign rather than the sole deciding factor for all supporters.

Background: The Development of Havering and the Hexit Movement

The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 during the major reorganisation of London’s administrative structure that established the 32 London boroughs. Prior to this reorganisation, the area was part of Essex and consisted of the old borough of Romford and the urban district of Hornchurch.

The Hexit movement has gained momentum over recent years, driven by residents who feel their cultural and historical identity aligns more closely with Essex than Greater London.

Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford, has been the primary political advocate for Hexit for many years. His campaign argues that Havering’s historic roots and cultural identity sit firmly within Essex.

Rosindell’s position gained significant political traction when he defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK earlier in 2026. This defection strengthened Reform UK’s position in Havering and helped the party win control of the borough in the May 2026 local elections.

Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s leader, publicly supported the Hexit concept during the election campaign, stating on election results day that many Havering residents feel their association is with Essex and have resented being part of Greater London since 1965.

The legislative effort to pursue Hexit has advanced through Rosindell’s amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, specifically new clauses 85 and 86.

These amendments propose giving Havering residents the right to hold a referendum on withdrawing from the Greater London Authority and joining the newly-formed Greater Essex Combined County Authority. Seven MPs, including Farage, have signed support for these amendments.

Public opinion appears to favour Hexit according to available polling data. A Facebook poll by The Havering Daily showed over 68% of locals back the concept, with more than 1,500 residents voting in favour. Rosindell’s own campaign website reports that 94% of participants in a commissioned poll voted in favour of granting Havering independence from City Hall.

Prediction: How This Development Could affect Havering Residents and Local Politics

The unresolved Hexit Issue could significantly affect Havering residents in several ways. Residents who voted for Reform UK based on Hexit promises may feel disillusioned if the council leader continues to delay the issue. This could reduce trust in the new council leadership and potentially affect future electoral support for Reform UK in the borough.

The delay may also impact local political dynamics. Opposition parties have used the Hexit controversy to challenge Reform UK’s credibility, which could strengthen their position in future council debates and elections. If the Hexit issue remains unresolved, it may become a recurring point of political contention that distracts from other council priorities.

For residents who personally feel more connected to Essex, the continued delay could perpetuate feelings of administrative disconnection from their perceived identity.

This psychological impact on community identity may strengthen local activism around the Hexit issue, potentially leading to more organized pressure on the council to pursue the referendum.

The legislative process through Rosindell’s amendments represents a potential pathway forward, but its success depends on parliamentary support and government willingness to include such provisions in the final bill.

If the amendments succeed, Havering residents could gain a direct democratic choice on their administrative status, fundamentally altering the borough’s relationship with Greater London.

The outcome could also affect transport and policing services. Rosindell argues that leaving the GLA would give Havering more power over spending decisions on these services.

If Hexit proceeds, residents might experience changes in how transport and policing are funded and managed, potentially leading to different service priorities aligned with Essex rather than London standards.

Neighbouring boroughs may also watch the Havering situation closely. Farage has predicted that London’s outer boroughs will want to hold similar referendues on their status.

If Havering successfully pursues Hexit, it could inspire similar movements in other outer London boroughs with historical Essex connections, potentially reshaping the administrative boundaries of Greater London in the long term.

The political uncertainty surrounding Hexit may also affect local property markets and investment decisions. Some residents and businesses might delay major decisions until the administrative status is clarified, while others might act based on expectations of whether Hexit will succeed. This uncertainty could impact the borough’s economic development in the short term.