Hexit Dismissed: ‘Havering Must Focus On Delivering For Residents, Not Political Distraction.’

3rd September 20263rd September 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Havering Council, Reform, Town Hall min read

Reform UK councillors have reaffirmed that Havering Council will not spend council time or taxpayers’ money pursuing a referendum on leaving the Greater London Authority during the current council term.

Speaking at Full Council, Councillor Bailey Nash-Gardner moved the Reform UK amendment to the motion on Havering leaving London.

Cllr. Nash-Gardner made clear that while he personally believes there is a serious case for reconsidering Havering’s relationship with London and City Hall, the priority of the new Reform UK administration must be delivering improvements for residents.

The Leader of Havering Council had already confirmed on 27 May that, other than debating the motion brought before Full Council, no council time or money would be spent pursuing a referendum on Havering leaving the Greater London Authority during this council term.

Cllr Nash-Gardner said:

“I personally believe there is a serious case to be made that Havering’s interests are not always best served by being tied to decisions made at City Hall and I think the long-term relationship between Havering and the Greater London Authority deserves proper debate.

“But supporting that principle does not mean I believe this Council should spend valuable time and money on a referendum during this Council term.

“Residents elected us to get on with fixing Havering. They want potholes repaired, streets cleaned, neighbourhoods made safer, planning rules properly enforced and council services improved. They want us to restore civic pride.

“Those are the priorities we should be concentrating on.”

The Reform UK amendment sought to put the administration’s existing position formally on the record and ensure the Council remained focused on delivering its programme for Havering residents.

Cllr. Nash-Gardner added:

“There will be a time and a place for a serious debate about Havering’s future relationship with the Greater London Authority, and when that debate comes, I will be very clear about where I stand.

“But that debate should not be used as a distraction from the immediate task facing this Administration.

“We can hold strong views about Havering’s long-term future while still being responsible about our priorities today.”

Reform UK took control of Havering Council earlier this year with a commitment to focus resources on improving frontline services, restoring civic pride and delivering visible improvements across the borough.

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