Why I Am Backing Our MP’s Campaign For Romford To Join Greater Essex.

Bailey Nash-Gardener Conservative Candidate For Marshalls And Rise Park today writes in the Havering Daily on just why Havering should leave London and join Greater London.

Last Wednesday (07th May), Andrew Rosindell M.P. led an adjournment debate titled “Havering Borough and Essex Devolution.” In the debate, he argued that Havering should be included in discussions about abolishing Essex County and District Councils in favour of creating unitary authorities under an elected Mayor of ‘Greater Essex.’ He proposed that Havering could be part of this new administrative area.

I fully support his proposals. I’m not originally from Romford, but over the past few years of being involved with the community, one thing has become clear: the people of Romford are Essex through and through.

Romford and Havering more broadly are historically, geographically, and socially Essex. Local sports clubs are affiliated with Essex authorities and leagues. Take Romford Golf Club in Gidea Park, for example – it is part of the Essex Golf Union. Or Romford Football Club, which falls under the Essex County Football Association. Postal addresses include Essex, not London. Visitors to Romford often say it doesn’t feel like London.

Unfortunately, being part of the Greater London Authority – at great expense to residents -means outer London boroughs like Havering are treated as cash cows and policies such as ULEZ are enforced on us despite huge local objections and it being unnecessary for the area. We don’t get the resources we need in key areas like policing and risk losing our unique “town and country” character as we are increasingly lumped in with inner London.

Romford Conservatives and candidates for next year’s local elections will be fully behind our M.P. and his campaign to give Havering the right to explore joining the new ‘Greater Essex’ area. If we are to be under any mayor, we would rather it be one who understands and reflects the values of our local community.

Perhaps it’s time for a local referendum: Greater Essex or Greater London?

Should we be given the opportunity to return to our roots, the current plans suggest there could be several different unitary authorities across Essex. So why not join Havering with Epping and Brentwood – areas with which we share much more in common?

It’s time to fight for a better future for Havering.

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