Key Points
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has identified six London councils as key targets ahead of the local elections on 7 May 2026, viewing them as an “earthquake” opportunity.
- Specific councils mentioned include Bromley, Bexley, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham, with two others not named in reports but part of a “half a dozen” strategy in the outer London belt bordering Essex and Kent.
- All 32 London boroughs will hold elections, providing a platform for Reform UK to challenge Labour’s dominance.
- Farage criticises Sadiq Khan’s “terrible” record on law and order, positioning the council wins as a springboard to topple the London Mayor in the 2028 election.
- Farage claims “everything has changed” since the last General Election, with Labour’s vote set to split due to Greens, Corbynites, and Gaza independents.
- He describes the May elections as the “British equivalent of the US midterms,” with Reform UK “going for gold.”
- Reform UK plans a major London campaign launch at the Excel Centre next month.
- London has historically been a Remain and Labour stronghold, where Farage has struggled to gain traction.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has set his sights on seizing control of six London councils next May, positioning the move as an “earthquake” opportunity to undermine London Mayor Sadiq Khan and pave the way for his party’s 2028 mayoral challenge. Speaking to the media, Mr Farage highlighted Bromley, Bexley, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham as prime targets among the 32 London boroughs up for election on 7 May 2026.
The Clacton MP told The Daily Mail that Labour’s vote will be “horrendously split” by competition from the Greens, Corbyn supporters, and Gaza independents, amid Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s mounting problems.
“These elections in May are the British equivalent of the US midterms. We’re going for gold,”
Mr Farage stated, as reported in The Daily Mail.
All reports emphasise Reform UK’s focus on outer London boroughs bordering Essex and Kent, areas leaning towards the party demographically. Mr Farage plans to launch the campaign at a major event at the Excel Centre next month, capitalising on what he calls a “very real chance” of victory in “half a dozen” councils.
Which Six London Councils is Nigel Farage Targeting?
Nigel Farage explicitly named four councils—Bromley, Bexley, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham—as fruitful grounds for Reform UK in next year’s elections. These outer boroughs, bordering Essex and Kent, align with Reform’s voter base in working-class and suburban areas disillusioned with mainstream parties.
As per coverage in The Daily Mail, Mr Farage identified these as part of a broader push into “half a dozen” of the 32 London boroughs contesting polls on 7 May. While two additional councils remain unnamed in available reports, the strategy targets Reform-leaning areas where Labour’s grip may weaken.
Bromley and Bexley, in particular, have shown conservative leanings historically, with Bexley delivering strong results for the Conservatives in past locals. Havering and Barking & Dagenham, further east, have seen shifts away from Labour amid concerns over migration and crime—issues central to Reform UK’s platform.
What Makes This an ‘Earthquake’ Opportunity for Reform UK?
Mr Farage described the upcoming elections as an “earthquake” moment, drawing parallels to seismic shifts in US midterms. In an interview with The Daily Mail, he claimed “everything has changed” since the July 2024 General Election, where Reform UK surged nationally but struggled in London.
“Labour are going to find their vote horrendously split. With the Greens and Corbyn and the Gaza independents. All these different people. There is a chance that Labour vote really gets hit,”
Mr Farage told The Daily Mail. He added that “Starmer’s problems as we face May are immense,” pointing to internal Labour divisions and policy failures.
The elections cover all 32 boroughs, offering Reform a rare city-wide platform. Party insiders, as echoed across reports, see a “very real chance” of council control, which could fragment Labour’s machine ahead of the 2028 mayoral race.
How Does Nigel Farage Plan to Attack Sadiq Khan’s Record?
Central to Reform UK’s strategy is criticism of Sadiq Khan’s handling of law and order, deemed “terrible” by Mr Farage. The outer boroughs targeted have experienced rising knife crime and policing concerns, issues Mr Farage links directly to the Mayor’s tenure.
As reported in The Daily Mail, Mr Farage views council wins as a “springboard push to topple the London Mayor in 2028.” Khan, seeking a third term, faces scrutiny over ULEZ expansion and crime statistics, with Metropolitan Police data showing persistent challenges in outer London.
Reform UK aims to weaponise these in the campaign launch at the Excel Centre next month, a high-profile venue in Newham that could draw thousands. Mr Farage’s rhetoric frames Khan’s London as a Remain and Labour stronghold now ripe for disruption.
Why Has London Been Tough for Nigel Farage Historically?
London has resisted Nigel Farage’s advances throughout his career. The capital overwhelmingly backed Remain in the 2016 EU referendum and remains a Labour bastion, delivering huge majorities for the party in the 2024 General Election.
Mr Farage, now Clacton MP, acknowledged this in The Daily Mail: his political journey has seen limited mark in the city. However, he insists post-election dynamics—Labour infighting, economic woes, and Reform’s national polling gains—alter the landscape.
Reform UK polled around 14% nationally in 2024 but underperformed in urban seats. Outer boroughs like those targeted offer a foothold, mirroring gains in places like Thurrock and Basildon across the Essex border.
What is Reform UK’s Broader Strategy for the May Elections?
Reform UK positions the 7 May locals as pivotal, akin to US midterms testing a government’s early tenure. Mr Farage told The Daily Mail: “We’re going for gold,” signalling all-out ambition beyond London.
Nationally, the party eyes hundreds of seats, but London represents a symbolic prize against Khan. The Excel Centre event next month will kick off the capital push, featuring policy announcements on crime, housing, and migration.
Reports note Reform’s grassroots expansion, with candidates standing in most boroughs. Success in Bromley, Bexley, Havering, or Barking & Dagenham could yield full council control, amplifying Farage’s voice in City Hall debates.
Who Are the Key Players Challenging Labour in London?
Sadiq Khan leads Labour’s defence, touting achievements like affordable housing and green initiatives amid controversies. Keir Starmer’s national woes—winter fuel cuts, tax hikes—could spill over, as Mr Farage predicts.
Competitors include Greens, pushing net zero; independents on Gaza, splintering left votes; and lingering Corbynites. Conservatives, weakened post-2024, may split the right, inadvertently aiding Reform.
In target boroughs, local figures like Bexley’s Teresa O’Neill (Labour) and Havering’s Damian White (independent) face scrutiny. Reform candidates remain unnamed but are being fast-tracked.
How Do Crime and Law and Order Factor In?
Sadiq Khan’s “terrible” record on law and order, per Mr Farage, dominates Reform’s pitch. Metropolitan Police figures show outer boroughs grappling with stabbings and gang violence, with Barking & Dagenham reporting rises.
As covered in The Daily Mail, Farage ties this to Khan’s oversight of the Met, contrasting with Reform’s “tough on crime” stance. Council control would amplify calls for more bobbies and stop-and-search.
Khan counters with record officer recruitment, but public trust lags, per surveys. This fault line could decide tight races.
What Happens at the Excel Centre Launch Event?
Reform UK’s London campaign launches at the Excel Centre next month, a strategic choice in Labour-held Newham. The event promises speeches, rallies, and candidate unveilings, aiming to energise supporters.
Mr Farage will headline, as per The Daily Mail reports, outlining the six-council assault. Capacity for thousands underscores ambition, potentially rivalising party conferences.
Security and turnout will test organisation, with protests likely from left-wing groups given Farage’s profile.
Could Reform UK Really Topple Sadiq Khan in 2028?
Council gains could erode Khan’s base, providing Reform a platform for the 2028 mayoralty. Farage, ineligible as an MP, eyes anointing a successor while leading attacks.
Polls show Khan vulnerable if Labour stumbles nationally. Reform’s rise—from 2019’s Brexit Party to 2024’s fourth place—suggests momentum. Yet London’s diversity and youth vote favour progressives.
Analysts caution: locals test organisation, not always predicting mayoral races. Still, Farage’s “earthquake” bet hinges on it.
Broader Implications for UK Politics?
These elections gauge Starmer’s first year, with Reform UK as the main opposition force. London wins would legitimise Farage’s insurgency, pressuring Conservatives and Labour alike.
Vote splits could yield hung councils, fuelling chaos narratives. Nationally, Reform eyes 500+ seats, reshaping local power.
