“Litter-Picking, Party-Swapping and Point-Scoring: Havering’s Election Circus Returns”.

Councillors swapping parties, attacking each other online and, of course, the very predictable community litter pick, it can only mean one thing. Yes, it’s that time again… local elections are on the horizon.

Across Havering, residents are preparing themselves for another round of door-knocking, leaflet-dropping, and social media sparring. But this year, things feel different. Residents have grown tired, tired of overbuilding, tired of losing greenbelt, and tired of watching trees and wildlife disappear faster than a campaign promise after polling day.

So who do they vote for? That’s the question everyone’s asking. Many residents are fed up not just locally, but nationally too. Political trust feels about as sturdy as one of those folding leaflet tables you see outside Tesco.

Local news (yes, like us) keeps reporting on the work that is being done, but the real entertainment often lies in the ongoing drama between councillors — a mix of finger-pointing, party swapping, and public Facebook spats that make for better viewing than EastEnders.

Havering remains a unique borough, proudly independent-minded, slightly stubborn, and just far enough from central London to enjoy its own rhythm. But as London’s issues creep closer, from overdevelopment to strained services, the borough’s calm exterior is showing cracks.

And so begins the battle of the litter-pickers. Picture it now: councillors and would-be councillors squaring off like fencers, armed not with swords, but with hi-vis jackets and grabbers, valiantly posing for that perfect campaign photo.

Next year, Havering residents will have their say once again. The question is — will anyone still be listening by then?

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