2026 Havering London Borough Council election

The 2026 Havering London Borough Council election will take place on 7 May 2026 to elect all 55 members of Havering London Borough Council. The elections are due to take place alongside the rest of the local elections in London boroughs. It will take place as a part of the 2026 United Kingdom local elections.

History

The thirty-two London boroughs were established in 1965 by the London Government Act 1963. They are the principal authorities in Greater London and have responsibilities including education, housing, planning, highways, social services, libraries, recreation, waste, environmental health and revenue collection. Some of the powers are shared with the Greater London Authority, which also manages passenger transport, police and fire.

Council term

Following the 2022 election, the Conservatives were the largest group on the council but five seats short of a majority. The Havering Residents Association (HRA) entered into a leadership coalition with the Labour Party), with Ray Morgon (HRA, Hacton)) as council leader. John Tyler (HRA, Cranham)) did not join the HRA group and sat as an independent. The Harold Wood Hill Park Residents Association, who were no longer affiliated with the HRA, formed the three-member East Havering Residents Group. Following the July 2022 Wennington wildfire, in September 2022, Sarah Edwards, Sue Ospreay and Jackie McArdle (all Conservative, Rainham and Wennington)) defected to the HRA. The May 2023 death of Linda Hawthorn (HRA, Upminster)) led to the 2023 Upminster by-election and the election of Jacqueline Williams (also HRA). In February 2024, Robby Misir (Conservative, Marshalls and Rise Park)) joined the HRA and Philip Ruck (HRA, Cranham)) left the party to sit as an independent. John Tyler and Philip Ruck then formed the two-member Residents Association Independent Group. In May 2024, John Crowder (Conservative, Havering-atte-Bower)), Philippa Crowder (Conservative, Marshalls and Rise Park) and Christine Smith (Conservative, Hylands and Harrow Lodge)) joined the HRA. Paul McGeary (Labour, Gooshays)) also joined the HRA. The HRA–Labour coalition came to an end in June 2024 and the HRA then formed a minority administration. In July 2024, Jackie McArdle (HRA, Rainham and Wennington) rejoined the Conservatives. In October 2025, Keith Prince (Conservative, Squirrels Heath)) defected to Reform UK. Two further councillors defected from the Conservatives to Reform in February 2026.

2026 Havering London Borough Council election