Reform UK council leader rejects Nigel Farage’s call for ‘Hexit’ referendum on leaving London
The newly elected Reform UK council leader has slammed Nigel Farage’s call for residents to be consulted over Havering’s possible departure from Greater London.
Keith Prince, a former senior Conservative, was confirmed as leader of Havering London Borough Council on Wednesday, following the Reform wave that wiped out his former party earlier this month.
Mr Prince, previously leader of Redbridge Council and a Tory member of the Greater London Assembly (GLA), stood alongside Mr Farage as he hailed his party’s victory outside Havering Town Hall the morning after the election.
Speaking about whether Havering would return to his former position in Essex at the time, Mr Farage said: “A lot of people (local people) think their relationship is with Essex and there’s a bit of resentment at being part of Greater London since 1965.”
He added: “The one thing I would say is that people should have the option to decide on this.
“So yes, people here need to have that ability, need to have that option.”
But at Wednesday’s council meeting Mr Prince insisted pursuing the option of leaving the GLA would be a waste of time.
He said: “I was born in (part of) the county of Essex which later became Havering. I can understand people’s attachment to our historic county identity.
“But let me be clear. At the moment, my research makes it clear that the majority of our residents would be significantly worse off financially if we left London.”
Acknowledging warnings from the opposition residents’ association about the financial impact, Mr Prince added: “While there are those who are emotionally invested in the appeal of leaving London, I and this administration have yet to be presented with a well-considered research and cost proposal outlining the benefits to our residents.
“We will therefore not waste our time pursuing ‘Hexit’ or leaving the Greater London Authority, but will concentrate our time and energy on getting Havering back on track.”
Speaking in Parliament last year, Andrew Rosundall, the Reform MP for the Romford constituency in Havering, also insisted the borough should have the option of rejoining Essex.
Havering became part of the GLA when the London Government Act 1963 established the Greater London administrative area.
Mr Rosundall said: “Since then, our identity as Essex has been tragically diminished and even cast aside by some, as if the centuries-old history of belonging to such a great English county could end because of local government restructuring that was lazy in its construction and took no account of our history.
“Geographically Romford is Essex. We are historically Essex. Culturally we are Essex and our social, sporting and commercial links have always been oriented towards the county of Essex.”
He complained that being part of the capital was “too costly” for local people.
“We pay tens of millions of pounds a year to the Greater London Authority,” he added, as he bemoaned “imposed” policies across London, including planning decisions and an ultra-low emissions zone.
