Havering has been won by Reform UK after the party gained majority control of the borough in its first London council win.
With 39 of the borough’s 55 councillors occupied by Reform, the Havering Residents’ Association (HRA) are now the official opposition with 14 councillors, down from 23.
Labour held on to just two seats in the Beam Park Ward, losing seven others, while the Conservatives lost all 23 of their seats.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage turned up to join the celebrations and Romford MP Andrew Rossendale, who recently defected from the Conservatives to Reform, said: “I believe people are fed up with Labour and they have been let down by the Conservatives.
“Reform UK are offering something new, more radical, a fresh start.”
Meanwhile, Jackie Wilkes, HRA candidate for Hacton, said: “It’s a protest vote, people are unhappy with the current government so have used this to show their discontent.”
Despite a surge in support for Reform, some candidates remained confident about their chances of keeping their seat in Havering.
Jane Elizabeth Keane, who had been a Labour councillor for the St Albans ward since 2022, had been confident in keeping her seat and, early in the night, said: “ I am confident I will get re-elected, people were positive on the doors we could get votes.”
But like several other main-party candidates, Keane’s seat was taken by Reform after married couple Diane and Russell Smith secured the majority of votes.
The couple, who have spent the past 27 years running a pub on Romford High Street, said : “The Conservatives policies were not favouring us anymore—we haven’t seen improvements.”
For those sporting blue, it was a night to celebrate and demonstrated a clear shift in the political tide for this far part of east London.
Farage marked the victory at Havering town hall by telling crowds it was a fundamental change.
Featured image courtesy of Oscar Stevens
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