Latest news with #Havering
Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
‘They'd win if it was tomorrow': on the streets of Reform's London
Few people have their finger on the pulse of London politics like Tony Travers, the London School of Economics policy professor, whose crystal ball is unusually sharp in the capital. 'If there was a general election tomorrow, Reform would win [the seat] by a country mile.' He is talking about Hornchurch and Upminster, a parliamentary constituency within the London Borough of Havering that has for decades been a Conservative stronghold. Its demographics are mirrored around the suburban, outer ring of the capital. On the high streets across Havering the signs of change are everywhere. Shuttered shops, overstretched services and a council wrestling with a £74 million budget shortfall have left many residents disillusioned. For them, the promises of mainstream politics ring hollow — and more and more are looking elsewhere for answers. Enter Reform UK. Local memberships have soared, according to two of the party's East London representatives, to almost 3,000 in the last year. With one Reform member already in the London Assembly, support in the capital is growing. • Reform UK would be largest party if general election held today Debbie Darvey had worked all her life before she suffered two strokes. Now she worries about being able to heat her home in winter. The 67-year-old has never lived anywhere but Harold Hill, near Romford. Of her area she says simply: 'It's like all your childhood memories are slowly disappearing. 'Because they're knocking this down, they're knocking that down, building new things. And it's in a way quite sad.' She has no problems with the current council administration, which is led by the Havering Residents Association ('they're polite and they're putting solar panels on my roof'), but she will be voting Reform in both the next local and general elections. 'I'm not sure what they do but then I think they can't do no worse than what Labour's doing.' Nationally the Conservatives have fallen to fourth place in the polls — behind Reform, the Lib Dems and Labour. Another poll, by Find Out Now in May, found Reform were now ahead of the Tories in the capital too. • A year after landslide, poll makes grim reading for Keir Starmer 'This new London polling is strong for Reform and it's before we even get going,' Nigel Farage said. Last July, Julia Lopez, Hornchurch and Upminster's Conservative MP, had her majority slashed from 23,308 to just under 2,000, with Reform taking second place. The nearby constituencies of Barking, Dagenham and Rainham and Erith and Thamesmead also saw Reform become the second party. The area's political history offers a glimpse into the current mood. In the early 2000s the neighbouring borough of Barking and Dagenham saw a surge of support for the British National Party (BNP), which won 12 council seats. While the BNP's influence quickly collapsed, the sentiment it tapped into — frustration with national politics and concerns about immigration — has lingered in the area. 'Many of my constituents have roots in the East End or Essex, and this seat reflects the character of both,' Lopez said. 'They are deeply patriotic, aspirational and hard-working — people who put family and country before all else.' Gary Mitzi, 60, was a lifelong Conservative voter until he voted Reform UK at the general election and is the personification of the demographic the upstart party is on the road to capturing. 'There's too many lies, people have just had enough now,' Mitzi said. 'I've had enough. 'When I walk around the corner and I hear people talking in their own language I go, 'Are you going to talk English or what, mate?' 'They don't speak English and we are living in England. I want to be out of this country, I don't want to live here. I'll put up with it for another eight years, then I'm moving to Malta.' The borough's population grew by 10.5% between 2011 and 2021, reaching approximately 262,100, outpacing both London (7.7%) and England (6.6%), driven by families moving out of inner-city areas in search of more affordable housing. In April a petition was launched to secure a £35 million investment for Queen's Hospital after the trust saw 'record-breaking' numbers of patients in March. While Havering remains one of the safest boroughs in London, residents also raised concerns about an increase in antisocial behaviour. Does Mitzi think Reform can fix it? 'No,' he said. 'No one's going to do it. But we need change.' The local branch of Reform UK is optimistic about its prospects in Havering's next local elections, held in May of next year. 'We're not parodying national politics,' said Philip Hyde, the chairman of the East London Reform UK branch and a former UKIP councillor — he was dismissed from the party following a 'dispute' with its Havering leader. 'People want to know what's going to affect their lives directly here. 'People are writing to us saying, 'What do I need to do to get involved in politics? They feel that for their children and grandchildren they have to take an interest.' • Reform UK: People like to back winners so we'll do well in Scotland Nick Palmer, Reform UK's candidate for Hornchurch and Upminster who beat Labour last July, said even 'school kids want to get involved'. While it remains to be seen how councils like Kent, Durham and Doncaster will perform — some of the ten councils Reform took control of in May — critics argue that the party's rhetoric far outweighs its capacity to deliver. It certainly faces significant challenges in translating its hopes into actionable policies. Ray Morgon, leader of Havering council since 2022 and head of the HRA, is sceptical of the party's promises. 'Reform are making promises of things they will do as a council which they don't have the power to do,' he says. 'They're playing to what people want to hear. But the reality of running the council is very, very different.' Despite this, the rise of Farage's party in places like Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Bexley — where Reform got 22 per cent of the vote last July — shows they are 'becoming the main opposition to Labour in many outer London boroughs', according to Travers. Reform could also find success in the London borough council elections in Bromley, bordering Kent, and Sutton, where the majority of voters backed Leave in the referendum. 'Reform's focus is clear,' Travers said. 'They'll target areas with a high Leave vote and where traditional party loyalties are breaking down.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'London is finished - it's bleeding us dry !' Locals in Havering reveal why they want their borough to be kicked out of the 'disgusting' capital
Havering is the easternmost point of London and has been considered a part of the capital for more than 60 years. But after decades of declining growth and accumulated debt, Romford MP Andrew Rosindell is campaigning for the borough to become a part of Essex instead. 'I've been an MP 24 years I barely see any benefits to being under Greater London, all it is, is taking money out of boroughs and funneling money into the inner London areas,' Mr Rosindell told MailOnline. 'Greater London was established in the 60s and prior to that Havering was under the Essex County Council. 'This is an ongoing campaign across the country, lots of areas want to be aligned with their historic counties rather than their metropolitan artificial regions that were created in the 60s and 70s. 'It means we take control of our own budget, we don't pay the Mayor of London, literally hundreds of millions of pounds. 'We get complete control of our local policies again, so things like ULEZ wouldn't be imposed on us.' At the moment, planning permission and public spending in the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of London. And residents of Havering have had enough of 'London tax'. Bradley Smith, 45, a high vantage cable joiner thinks London is 'a joke' and is more than happy for Havering to become a part of Essex instead. He told MailOnline: 'I think London is finished I work there every day and everything they're trying to do is disgusting. 'It's mental it's like they're trying to bleed us dry. 'The ULEZ is a joke and now we have the Silvertown tunnel. My company has 6000 vans and London's our main area, they had to spend £17milliom to pay for new vans. 'It's done it's not London I grew up there and I moved to Upminster for better schools and a better quality of life for my kids. 'A lot of people will say we're Essex anyway.' Mr Rosindell's campaign follows on from Angela Rayner's plans to increase devolution across local authorities and streamline local services. The government are currenting seeking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex by May 2026. It would enable the county councils under its jurisdiction to make their own policies and it would have its own elected Mayor. Mr Rosindell said: 'Havering, we're Essex, we're not London, because we're under Greater London we're not being considered for this new Essex devolution. 'It means when they do London we will probably be merged, which means the end of Havering as an independent borough. 'We'd be swallowed up by Labour boroughs to the east so our character and identity will likely be swallowed up by east London. 'This is a serious debate. It's the very survival of our borough whether the character of our borough stays or whether it goes. 'Boroughs that orbit London, I accept we orbit but we're not in London, we need a different type of governance than those in the actual capital. It needs complete reform and I'm arguing for this.' Havering is considered an East London borough but includes areas that consider themselves to be geographically Essex, such as, Romford, Upminster and Hornchurch. Catherine Terry, 57, who grew up in Upminster, thinks becoming part of London has destroyed the area. She told MailOnline: 'We're being dragged into the East End and I don't think it's for the best. 'It used to be regarded as a posh area we used to have some lovely shops, local shops to get your shopping, and now we're being swallowed up by charity shops. 'I was horrified to see the litter it was horrendous. 'All these things coming in from London it's changed it massively since I was a child. Every time I come back it gets worse it hasn't improved. 'I still think of Upminster as Essex and a lot of people will still term it as Essex. Margaret Townley, 70, who has lived in the borough for 33 years agreed that becoming part of Greater London tainted the borough. She told MailOnline: 'All the money seems to go to London and we have to pay all the extra and get nothing out of it. 'I don't go to London there's not a lot up there even the shopping isn't good. 'Nothing is getting done here and we don't get funding where we're paying extra money we could spend it.' But others disagree saying being part of London has its perks. Michelle Taplin, who has owned Optimum Fine Art on Hornchurch High Street for 31 years, worries leaving London will destroy her business. She told MailOnline: 'I don't know why he wants to do that; we are London. 'There are parts of Essex that have a bad reputation, it's worlds apart. 'I don't think my customers would be the same. 'House prices would go down and businesses may suffer.' However, most residents believe it would be better to officially rejoin Essex now to curb anti-social behavior that has been pouring in from the capital. Claire Moran, 50, said: 'I've always lived round here, and my address has always been Essex. 'Traditionally I always thought I was Essex. 'I would like to leave London because I don't like paying council tax to the mayor and I don't agree with his policies like ULEZ. 'It's sprawling out more the inner city stuff is spreading here and we're getting consumed into London. 'We always had green areas and my nervousness is that London will take over and develop it.' Cliff Barker, retired, 69, who has lived in Havering 30 years agreed. He said: 'I would rather this be Essex I don't consider this to be London. 'I think London is overpopulated it's too busy most of the place is dirty.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Builders hit with backlash after shocking act in public park: 'It's beyond unacceptable'
One of the great simple pleasures in life is a long stroll through the park, though encroachments by private property owners can make this increasingly difficult for local residents. Mardyke Open Space in the London Borough of Havering offers a wonderful area for kids to play, dogs to be walked, and anyone to enjoy the meadowy outdoors. That was until, in early May, a group of builders cut through the park's fencing and began cutting down the trees and bushes in the area. An article by The Havering Daily stated: "The workers … were seen using diggers to cut through metal fencing and drive along a public footpath. Residents estimate that approximately 40 feet of greenery was completely destroyed." Protecting communal spaces is a global concern. Recently, a property owner in Florida was penalized for filling in a protected waterway with rocks and dirt, adding to his land and harming the environment. Someone else in British Columbia illegally dredged a creek, detrimentally harming its salmon population. The Havering Daily reported that two nearby residents were called to observe the destruction. In the article, one resident said: "The land there is now completely flat, everything has gone. There are children playing, families walking — and now diggers are being driven over the public paths. It's beyond unacceptable." The outrage from Mardyke Open Space lovers is real, and it speaks to the locals' true appreciation of the area. While requests have been made for the destruction to stop until a proper investigation is launched, park visitors can only hope for a win, as well as for some rebuilding. Though situations like these can feel scary and out of control, the choice to bring in law enforcement and show public disapproval is a step in the right direction. By using their voice and taking local, immediate action, the hope is that public area destruction can be handled and that free, open spaces like this one can continue to thrive. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Not contaminated' designation of Arnold Fields to be reviewed
A council will need to reassess its decision not to call a perennially burning rubbish dump "contaminated".Havering Council's decision was challenged in the High Court on 17 June by Clean the Air in Havering, a group set up to tackle the fires at Launders Lane in landfill site, on Arnolds Field, has caught fire more than 100 times since 2019, sending smoke into homes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) leader Gillian Ford said: "The site belongs to the landowners and it is their responsibility to make it safe – we are ready to work with them to solve the problem." 'Summer of hell' Justice Nathalie Lieven ruled the decision not to designate the land as contaminated by Havering Council in July 2024 as "premature and unlawful".She also found the town hall misunderstood the law by failing to consider smoke as a potential contaminant under contaminated land rules. The council has said its options are "limited".Ford added: "We are now reviewing the detail in the ruling. One thing that is clear is it has asked us to reconsider our decision on whether Arnolds Field is 'contaminated land' or not."Despite the landowner's claims that they're trying to 'improve the site for the local community', the fact remains that they have not yet submitted a formal planning application, and we have seen no evidence to suggest they are serious in finding a solution." Ruth Kettle-Frisby, one of three local mothers leading the campaign, said residents had reported "constant coughing and stinging and irritated eyes," and had been forced to "close all windows during this hot weather"."This month, Rainham residents have reported their understandable distress as they enter 'another summer of hell', with smoke already entering nearby schools," she added. Emily Nicholson, from the law firm Mishcon de Reya, who represents the campaign group Clean the Air in Havering said: "This is the first judgment that we are aware of which deals with assessment under the Contaminated Land Guidance, and it clarifies an important point on smoke being able to be assessed as a contaminant linkage for the purposes of the contaminated land regime. "It also makes clear that where health impacts come from specific sporadic events, such as fires, decisions must be made based on evidence of the impacts of those events."
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment dive-bombing buzzard that has terrorised village tries to get into house before being attacked by magpies and crows
A dive-bombing buzzard that has terrorised villagers for months has been captured attempting to enter a house before being attacked by magpies and crows. Residents in Havering-atte-Bower, Greater London, say they are 'living in fear' after being attacked by the menacing bird of prey which has even caused a local primary school to stop their pupils from going outside during break time. The buzzard, nicknamed Brenda by local school children, is believed to be part of a mating pair and was last week captured narrowly missing resident Louise Whittle's head as it swooped down on her. Now, fellow local Nick Woodgate has captured the bird looking to continue its reign of terror on the community by entering a nearby house. The footage shows the buzzard attempting to fly through the closed window before it flies onto the roof of the house opposite Mr Woodgate's property. It is then circled by crows looking to knock the swaying buzzard off its perch, before a group of magpies seemingly arrive to help oust the bird. She is said to be defending her nest in Havering Country Park, and due to buzzards being protected under UK law, Havering Council has said its intervention options are 'very limited'. It is then circled by crows looking to knock the swaying buzzard off its perch, before a group of magpies seemingly arrive to help oust the bird When Miss Whittle was almost hit in the head by the bird earlier this month she said the situation was 'absolutely bonkers'. And after children at Dame Tipping Primary School were forced to stay inside since Easter through fear of injury, Miss Whittle said it was a 'brilliant' way to handle the issue. She added: 'The school have been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out. 'If anything, it's been a great learning experience for the children - they have learnt all about buzzards that they otherwise wouldn't have done.' However, Miss Whittle admitted being concerned that 'the birds are being prioritised over the children' and said she is 'hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal'. Headteacher Stella McCarthy said the 'difficult decision' to keep the children inside was made after the birds became 'highly present' in the playground. She said: 'As a school, safeguarding and protecting children is of paramount importance.' The school has decided to use the situation as a learning experience for pupils, who have created posters promoting the protection of birds. Headteacher Ms McCarthy added: 'Luckily, as part of LIFE Education Trust, we have had excellent support enabling us to use the trust mini bus to regularly visit The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls where our children have engaged in outdoor learning activities, PE lessons and visited the school's farm. 'We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles.' The bird also dive-bombed on local resident Nikki Dix, 37, as she took a walk in the park. Miss Dix said she was 'dead shocked' when the bird attacked her from behind and left scratches on her head. She said: 'I was scared, I was taken back by it. 'He was giving me an evil eye so then I carried on my journey for quite a while just swinging my bag above my head because I was just like 'hopefully this will deter him from coming to get me, because if he does try again to get me maybe he won't be so nice'. 'Nothing like that normally gets me so I'm a little bit on high alert at the moment, that's why I've stayed away from that area as well.' The school has been liaising with Havering Council and various bird organisations to find solutions to the issue. The council said its health and safety team has provided the school's trust with 'detailed advice' on legal deterrents and the hiring of a falconry expert. A Havering Council spokesperson said previously: 'The RSPCA has advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, which lines up with the information we have received. 'Buzzards are protected under UK law, therefore our intervention options are very limited, and we have advised that warning signs would be the easiest solution at this time. 'We completely understand how difficult and worrying this situation is for the school and local residents and we regret that there is not a quick or straightforward solution.
