Published February 18, 2026 2:14pm
Updated February 18, 2026 3:45pm
Forget Brexit. The new political battle will be ‘Haverexit’.
The east London borough of Havering could get a vote on ‘independence’ on remaining part of the capital, a Reform MP has vowed.
Havering voters could get to choose whether to remain in London or rejoin Essex as a ‘self-governing unitary’.
Andrew Rosindell, who defected from the Tories to join Reform last month, said the quasi-referendum would happen if Nigel Farage became Prime Minister.
The Romford MP told Reform UK supporters on Monday: ‘We are not east London, we are Essex”.
He added: ‘To change Havering’s status within Greater London and restoring our independence from City Hall will require legislation.
‘So, the next Reform UK Government under Prime Minister Nigel Farage…will give Havering a choice, a choice to break free of the Mayor of London and become a self-governing unitary authority once again.
Should Havering split from London and rejoin Essex?
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‘Just as we were after the abolition of the GLC [Greater London Council], before Tony Blair imposed the GLA [Greater London Authority] and Mayor upon us. So Havering will get back control over the development of our town centre.’
‘We will rid ourselves of Ulez, which has been dividing up families and communities.
‘Most importantly, it will ensure that policies decided for the people of this borough are made by the people of Havering. No more dictatorship from the Mayor of London or City Hall.’
Was Havering always part of London?
Havering was first formed in 1965 and was a combination of areas of the former Romford Borough Council and Hornchurch Urban District, both of which were previously part of Essex.
The east London borough one of the greenest throughout the capital.
Mr Rosindell has long been disatisfied with the deal of Havering as part of the Greater London Authority.
He has complained that his constituents in Romford, the largest town in Havering, are opposed to the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) and have seen police stations close.
The rally came as Reform eye up councl victories in May’s local elections in London.
Ahead of the Monday event, two Conservative councillors in Havering defected to Reform.
Reform’s candidate for Mayor Laila Cunningham controversially started her campaign by saying she ‘pities’ Londoners.
She said at a London press conference: ‘I love this city with all my heart, but unlike some in this room, I’m not blind to what it’s become.
‘London, one of the greatest cities on Earth, is no longer safe, and that doesn’t happen by accident.’
However London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has slammed Reform and Tory politicians who he accused of painting a ‘dystopian picture of London as a city that’s fallen’.
He claimed his political opponents ‘can’t stand what London represents – a city that’s diverse, progressive and thriving, with a Mayor who happens to be a Muslim’.
Yesterday Nigel Farage insisted that Reform UK is not a ‘one-man band’ as he unveiled his top team for the first time.
He appointed Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman, Zia Yusuf and Richard Tice to his top team.
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