London local elections: What are the results in Havering?

The Conservative Party, which had been the official opposition in the east London borough, suffered a complete wipeout, failing to secure a single seat for the first time in the borough’s 60-year history.

They secured 23 seats in the 2022 elections, but a wave of defections to the incumbent Havering Residents Association (HRA) had left them with 15.

Labour also experienced similarly heavy losses, entering the election with eight councillors and finishing the night with just two, in Beam Park.

The HRA held on to eleven seats – down from 25 – and will now step into the role of official opposition, replacing the Conservatives.

The Harold Wood Hill Park Residents Association triumvirate held onto their ward, but the Greens, Liberal Democrats and other independents failed to break into the borough.

The new Reform administration will oversee local issues – such as housing, roads, and bins – for the next four years.

Local Reform leader Keith Prince – who will now serve as the interim council leader – said it was an “historic night here in Havering”.

Speaking to reporters outside Havering Town Hall, party leader Nigel Farage said Labour and Conservatives had been “wiped out” nationally. He declared in front of his dozens of new councillors that Havering was “under new management”.

Havering is the first London council ever won by Reform, following a night of national upset for Labour and the Conservatives. Many councils are yet to declare a winner, with some counts continuing into the weekend.

Havering (Total number of seats: 55)

Winner: Reform (from no overall control)

Residents’ Associations: 14 (-15)