Andrew Rosindell pushes to free 262k people from Sadiq Khan’s London with ‘Brexit-style’ referendum

Mr Rosindell said: “My amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill are about respecting local identity, traditions and democracy, by giving the people of Havering the right to uphold their historic identity and choose the best form of local and regional government that suites our borough.”

The 59-year-old also thanked seven MPs for signing his New Clause 86 amendment in the House of Commons earlier today, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

He added: “If accepted, it would ensure that the boundaries of the ceremonial county of Essex are once again aligned with the historic county of Essex, as they were for many hundreds of years before the bureaucrats muddled things up, causing so much confusion for decades.”

However, Mr Rosindell’s use of historic counties would mean other London landmark sites would be returned to previous authorities.

Stratford, which was last considered part of Essex in 1965, is home to a major shopping centre and West Ham football club.

Meanwhile, Greenwich and Woolwich could return to the historic county of Kent.

| PA

Despite Havering residents being served by the Metropolitan Police and paying council tax to a local authority in the capital, a YouGov poll found that 60 per cent of Londoners believe Romford is in Essex.

The Havering Daily also found that 68 per cent of local residents supported the borough leaving London and restoring its links with Essex.

However, this is not the first time Mr Rosindell has pushed for Havering to rejoin Essex.

Earlier this year, the Romford MP suggested rejoining Essex would free local residents from Sir Sadiq’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone.

|

PA

Mr Rosindell also criticised the “overarching” powers of London’s Labour Mayor on an area that was distant from the centre of the city.

“Greater London, as a region with an overarching mayor, is too big and too remote to meet the needs of a borough such as Havering, which considers itself to be part of Essex,” he added.

“It is also very costly for us to be part of Greater London, as we pay tens of millions of pounds per year to the Greater London Authority.

“That equates to a vast sum for the GLA precept per household: an exorbitant amount of money that my constituents simply cannot afford.

“London-wide policies are imposed on us, such as planning decisions and, of course, the Ulez, but we do not get the services that we are meant to receive.

“They are completely inadequate, with policing being the worst example.”

Despite being part of London, Havering also remains far more closely connected to Essex when it comes to its political history.

Havering recorded the highest Brexit vote in London in 2016, with its 70 per cent support being level with Clacton and Castle Point.

| HOUSE OF COMMONS

Protesters have also gathered across the borough to voice their opposition to Sir Sadiq’s Ulez scheme.

The demonstrations, held when the scheme was implemented in 2023, included around 60 protesters calling on Havering Council to step in to halt the expansion.

Speaking earlier this year, then-Local Government Minister Jim McMahon dismissed Mr Rosindell’s push for Romford to rejoin Essex.

The now-backbench Labour MP said: “It is currently not envisaged that the boundaries of Greater London will be changed, or that the proposed Greater Essex mayoral combined county authority will be expanded, although the latter would be possible at a later date should it be locally desired and should statutory tests be met.”