A campaign has been initiated to ensure that Bromley remains a part of London following comments made by Nigel Farage, who suggested that the borough could potentially separate from the capital.
The leader of Reform UK indicated that a referendum might be held in the coming years regarding the detachment of this Outer London borough from the city. Farage’s party has also mentioned the possibility of Havering, along with Barking and Dagenham, considering a similar exit.
In response to these developments, Labour MP Liam Conlon, representing Beckenham and Penge, has launched a campaign to oppose the proposed separation of Bromley from London.
Conlon anticipates that the discussions surrounding Bromley’s potential departure will lead to a „divisive and heated“ debate. He remarked,
„Just like Brexit, another campaign led by Farage, it would be a disaster for residents in Beckenham and Penge and across Bromley in every sense. Bromley belongs in London.“
He emphasized that if Bromley were to exit the Greater London Authority, local residents would lose significant benefits, including:
- Access to the Older Persons Freedom Pass, which allows free bus and train travel for elderly residents.
- Funding for facilities such as the new Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
- Oyster Zip Passes, which provide free and discounted travel for children.
- Free school meals for all primary school pupils.
- Inter-Bromley bus services, including routes 358 and 227.
Conlon further stated,
„In the weeks and months ahead, I am looking forward to going out on the campaign trail to engage with residents, local businesses and community groups, to make the case for staying in London.“
He added,
„This is an incredibly important campaign. It is one that will be divisive and heated, and it will do more than anything to define the future of our borough for the next decade.“
To bolster his efforts, Conlon has created a petition aimed at keeping Bromley within London, which he plans to present to Parliament.
Farage recently brought up the idea of a referendum on Bromley’s status while interacting with Reform campaigners at the Bird in Hand pub in Bromley Common. He commented,
„Sitting in here now with all these blokes in the pub, does this feel like London? Not to me it doesn’t.“
Farage, who was born in Farnborough within the borough of Bromley, expressed his views on the matter, stating,
„Go further out to where I was born in TN16 3AA, it’s sheep farms. How is Sadiq Khan the Mayor of that? There was this massive land grab that happened in ’65 and I think there are some really serious reconsiderations of it.“
When questioned about whether Laila Cunningham would support allowing boroughs to leave the capital if she were to become the Mayor of London, Farage responded,
„I won’t predict what she’s going to say. But I think there is a possibility of the outer London boroughs at some point in the next few years having a referendum on deciding on what they want their future to be.“
He added,
„If she beats Khan, they might feel differently here. But I repeat the point, this does not feel like London, it never did, and the same goes for Havering and Dagenham.“
Some of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s policies have sparked controversy in Outer London, particularly the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), as residents in these areas tend to rely more on vehicles compared to those living in the city center, where air pollution is a more pressing concern.
Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, who transitioned from the Conservative Party to Farage’s Reform UK, has stated that Havering would have the opportunity for an „independence“ vote regarding its status as part of the capital under a Reform UK government. He emphasized that local residents would have the choice to remain Londoners or rejoin Essex as a „self-governing unitary authority“ if Farage were to become Prime Minister.
Polls indicate that Reform UK may gain control of Havering council in the upcoming May local elections, with strong challenges anticipated in Bexley, Bromley, and Barking and Dagenham.
Farage has set a goal for his party to secure council positions in London during the elections scheduled in three weeks.
Currently, Reform UK has increased its number of councillors in London to 14, including three each in the boroughs of Bromley, Havering, and Waltham Forest.
Bildquelle: Foto von Donna White auf Unsplash
